A SCHOOL is celebrating being rated as outstanding.

Staff at Phoenix Primary School, in Basildon, said they are incredibly proud after receiving the top rating from education watchdog Ofsted.

The report praised the school for its leadership and other areas.

Kerry Geary, headteacher at the school, said the rating is a result of a lot of hard work.

She said: “The staff at The Phoenix Primary School do their very best to meet the pupils’ needs.

“Our school is a fantastic place to be and we are extremely proud of our achievement.

“The school’s achievement of its outstanding ofsted rating is a fitting tribute to Del Richards, the long standing site manager who sadly passed away earlier this year.

“He would have been so proud.”