An Ipswich primary school has retained its good Ofsted rating following an inspection last month.

St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in Bolton Lane, Ipswich, has retained its good grade that had previously been awarded in 2014, 2010 and 2006. 

The school, which is part of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich and has 421 pupils aged four to 11, was described as "a warm and inspirational place to be" in a report by the education watchdog published on June 21. 

Inspectors said the school has a "highly ambitious" curriculum offer and the teaching of the curriculum is of a "consistently high standard".

Praise went to specialist music teaching, an example being a recent pupil performance at the Northgate Arts Centre, and subject leaders were described as "experts in what they do".

Inspectors found "a treasure trove of enrichment opportunities" that were available to the children, including performing at Snape Maltings Concert Hall and participating in Victorian workshops at Christchurch Mansion.

They said: "All of this helps enrich their learning experience well beyond the classroom."

Pupils were said to achieve well with "consistently high standards of work" and became confident readers.

Inspectors said: "Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from a highly inclusive school environment. The school goes to great lengths to include those with the highest levels of need."

This includes specialist support for non-verbal pupils and a sensory room to meet pupils’ specific needs. 

The report found pupils behave with "tolerance and respect" and staff apply the behaviour policy consistently.

The school was described as a "mutually supportive environment" where staff "genuinely care about each other’s well-being". 

St Margaret's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School retained its good rating.

On the report inspectors wrote: "The evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might be outstanding if a graded (section 5) inspection were carried out now. The school’s next inspection will be a graded inspection."