Staff at a Suffolk primary school are celebrating after being rated 'good' in their first ever Ofsted report. 

Grace Cook Primary School in Stowmarket was visited by the education watchdog in February after opening in 2022. 

Inspectors found that the school, in Fuller Way, harbours a safe and caring community with an ethic of ‘dream, believe, achieve’ which encourages pupils to be curious learners. 

The school also rated outstanding in the early years provision, which refers to the education of children up to the age of five.

The report said: "Children in the nursery and reception receive an excellent start to their education.

"The school has designed a very well-thought-out curriculum that encourages children to be independent in their learning.

"Children take part in a rich variety of activities throughout the day."

The school was named Grace Cook Primary and Nursery, after a community consultation chose to name it after the British astronomer, Alice Grace Cook, who lived in the Suffolk town.

The school was opened in 2022The school was opened in 2022 (Image: Matthew Power Photography)

Alastair Heath-Robinson, CEO of the Orwell Multi Academy Trust who run the school, said: “We are incredibly proud of the remarkable progress that Grace Cook Primary School has made since its opening in 2022.

"This Ofsted report is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the leadership team, staff, and pupils, who have worked tirelessly to build a school with high standards and expectations.

"We are thrilled that Grace Cook Primary School is offering such a fantastic provision to local families and children, and we look forward to watching the school continue to grow and thrive.”

Highlighting areas of improvement, inspectors said the school has not yet identified precisely what the children need to learn, meaning teachers do not consistently deliver the curriculum as the school intends.

They also said that the implementation of the curriculum is not routinely assessed. 

Grace Cook Primary School is located in Fuller Way in Stowmarket (Image: Matthew Power Photography) The school was, however, praised for increasing its capacity for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and for creating an inclusive culture. 

The inspectors wrote: "Pupils understand that everyone is different and are committed to creating a welcoming community.

"Pupils also benefit from educational visits linked to the curriculum, for example to a food museum and Colchester Zoo.

"Since the school opened in September 2022, it has developed a culture with high aspirations for its pupils.

"There are dedicated staff at all levels and they want pupils to build strong foundations for learning throughout their primary education."