The new term has got off to a great start for one headteacher, who has seen her school awarded the second highest Ofsted rating.

Chris Lamb said she was feeling “very pleased” after Mayespark Primary School was given a “good” score - one rank up from its previous 2011 mark of “satisfactory” – now called “requires improvement”.

The school was judged during an inspection in July, with the results revealed this week.

Mrs Lamb said: “The staff here have worked very hard to improve the teaching in the school, so we are really pleased that the inspection team recognised that.

“The inspection was a good way to finish the year and now we have come back ready to carry on with our improvement.”

Mayespark, based in Goodmayes Lane, Goodmayes, received “outstanding” ratings for its leadership and management and the behaviour and safety of pupils.

It also received “good” grades in the achievement of pupils and quality of teaching.

Mrs Lamb said: “I suppose the changes have really been about teaching to improve the achievements of the children. It’s been a real team effort.”

Among the activities students enjoyed were going on educational trips and welcoming visitors. The school has also worked extensively with parents.

Mrs Lamb said the school would now focus on gaining the highest rating - “outstanding”.

The new Ofsted report said Mayespark was not yet an outstanding school because of reasons such as teaching not being outstanding across all the year groups and classes, teachers not expecting enough of students at times and pupils not always being given opportunities to consider their progression.

Mrs Lamb added: “Because we have aspects of outstanding, we feel we are on the road to that and we are very excited about taking Mayespark to the next level.”