GLOWING reports have been awarded to three community schools in the north Essex area this week after their latest Ofsted inspections. Elmstead Primary School in Elmstead Market, Millfields Primary School in Wivenhoe, and All Saints Church of England Primary School in Great Oakley all had rigorous Ofsted inspections in October this year.

GLOWING reports have been awarded to three community schools in the north Essex area this week after their latest Ofsted inspections.

Elmstead Primary School in Elmstead Market, Millfields Primary School in Wivenhoe, and All Saints Church of England Primary School in Great Oakley all had rigorous Ofsted inspections in October this year.

Top of the class came Elmstead Primary School which received a grade one result for the “overall effectiveness of the school”. This is the best mark on the five-point scale that Ofsted awards, ranging from inadequate (grade 4) to outstanding - with only 4 % of schools achieving the top score.

Headteacher Clive Middleditch emphasised the school's success was down to its community sprit. He said: “The number one thing is to be a community that works well together. It is lovely for children to take the community spirit into the school.”

Inspectors spent two days at the 200-pupil school and praised staff for ensuring that “every child counts”.

Inspector Cheryl Thompson said: “Children get off to a flying start because the care, teaching and curriculum are outstanding.”

But in a letter contained in the report and sent to the pupils, Mrs Thompson said: “Could you try to be neater and join up your writing?”

The school has now introduced a gold certificate scheme to give keen students incentives to keep their handwriting tidy.

Millfields Primary School received a “good” result for its overall effectiveness - grade two - but the report highlighted recent concerns from parents of gifted and talented pupils, who felt their children had not been challenged enough. The inspectors said they had found no evidence of this.

They said: “The caring school ethos, together with support from families and governors creates a school where pupils feel happy.”

All Saints Primary School also received a “good” result overall.

Inspectors said: “Parents and carers have very positive views of the school and feel it provides a very good education for their children. The school is at the heart of its community.”