Staff and students at Colchester Academy are celebrating their success after the school received its first ever ‘Good’ Ofsted inspection.

The secondary school, formally the Sir Charles Lucas School, received an inadequate rating in 2015 but has been making leaps and bounds ever since.

During its last inspection it moved up to ‘requires improvement’, with Ofsted inspectors giving it a ‘good’ for ‘personal development, behaviour and welfare’.

Headteacher Fiona Pierson said she was thrilled the school had increased its rating and was pleased her students could take pride in their school.

She said: “It has been 26 years and the school had never been awarded a good.

“This is our first time.

“In a three year period we have gone up two ratings.

“We are thrilled at the news and thrilled that our students are now proud to say they go to a school rated so highly.

“It was just about prioritising what had to be done first and having simple plans in place.

“I think sometimes people over complicate things - it is really about doing the simple things well.

“Once you have that in place you reach a tipping point where improvements are easier to achieve.

“We are very happy with the work we have put in place.”

According to new ‘Progress 8’ measures the government have adopted for school performance, Colchester Academy is the fourth most successful school in the Colchester area and one of the most improved in Essex.

But Ms Pierson said she wouldn’t rest on her laurels, and would strive to make the school even better.

“Education is a conveyor belt,” she said.

“We have to push on and look to the future.

“I am very proud to be headteacher of Colchester Academy and it is lovely to get the Ofsted seal of approval.”

Ms Pierson is also shortlisted for Headteacher of the Year in the Essex Teaching Awards.

The winner will be announced on February 8.

Meanwhile, St Helena School, Sheepen Road in Colchester, also received a ‘good’ rating from the schools’ watchdog.

The report, published on Thursday, rated the school ‘good’ in all areas.