A HADLEIGH school has been boosted by the news it is now rated ‘good’ by government watchdog Ofsted.

Hadleigh Junior School, in Church Road, was praised in its December inspection – its first since it became an academy in September 2012– after it was previously rated ‘satisfctory’.

Teaching, pupil safety and achievement and the governing body were all praised in the inspection although maths is still causing concerns.

Year 6 pupil Jacob Eglinton, 11, said: “I am really enjoying school at the moment and the teachers are making the lessons really interesting.

I like Maths because it is really important in getting a job as it is used everyday - for example if you wanted to work in a supermarket.”

Maths is one of the subject areas that needs improvement according to Ofsted, with inspectors saying the skills learnt in the subject needed to be applied to other lessons.

Headteacher Debbie Allen, who has now been in charge for four years, said the progress made by the school didn’t surprise her and it was almost awarded an ‘outstanding’ grade by inspectors.

She said: “We were very confident going into this inspection that we would be at least a ‘good’ school.

“We have focused on improving the quality of the childrens learning as well as how they are learning. The pupils have been a major contributor to our success and I am so pleased to see their hard work paying off.”

“To see the behaviour praised by Ofsted was particularly pleasing and I am sure by the time the next inspection comes around we will be an Outstanding school.”

Hadleigh Infants and Nursery School, in Bilton Road, is expected to be visited by the watchdog in the coming months.