AN inner-city primary school has had double-reason to celebration after being rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and seeing its headteacher shortlisted for a national award.

Feversham Primary Academy received the Outstanding rating following a recent inspection, having previously been rated Good by inspectors.

The report follows headteacher Idrees Naveed being shortlisted for the Headteacher of the Year award at the Times Educational Supplement Teaching Awards.

Following the inspection, Ofsted said: "Teaching is highly effective and well matched to the needs of children.

"Pupils make very strong and sustained progress as a result of this – this also applies to pupils with special needs and disadvantaged pupils.

"Expectations of what pupils can achieve are high. We make every effort to secure pupils’ basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics and then challenge them to achieve highly.

"High-quality mathematics teaching is evident across the school and our pupils are confident mathematicians whose progress in the subject is excellent. Reading is also strong across the school and phonics is taught very well from an early age.

"The creative curriculum, with music and drama centre stage, is making a significant contribution to our pupils’ attitudes to learning and positively impacts on how well they do.

"This has been recognised nationally and internationally, with the approach attracting a great deal of very positive interest.

"Pupils’ attitudes to learning are exemplary – they are excited about their lessons and eager to learn. They take great pride in their work.

"Behaviour is also exemplary in and outside of lessons. Pupils are proud to be part of the Feversham community and are extremely polite and courteous.

"The school is a caring, nurturing and happy place to be, with pupils playing happily together in the playground. They enjoy each other’s company and take care not to hurt or offend one another."

Mr Naveed's nomination was the cherry on the cake for the Barkerend school which is part of the Academies Enterprise Trust.

He said: “It is a moment of immense joy, pride and humility for Feversham to be graded Outstanding.

"Primary education should be the most joyful, memorable and transforming period of any child’s life. I am honoured to be surrounded by outstanding human beings who take this as an article of faith. Arts and culture are the bedrock of academic success and well-being.

“I am absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for the Headteacher of the Year Award. This is all thanks to the wonderfully talented team at Feversham, who strive day in and day out to bring happiness, joy and light to all around them.

"It is their core belief in putting children first that has allowed Feversham to gain national recognition for a cutting-edge curriculum rooted in arts and culture.

"I am truly humbled and grateful to have such amazing people in my team, and to be part of an Academy Trust that provides a vision for everyone to 'find their remarkable'.”