A village school has been given top marks after being rated as outstanding in an inspection.

Eastern Daily Press: Headteacher Julia Waters and pupils from Palgrave Primary School celebrate an outstanding inspection result. Picture: NIKKI LAMB/JULIA WATERSHeadteacher Julia Waters and pupils from Palgrave Primary School celebrate an outstanding inspection result. Picture: NIKKI LAMB/JULIA WATERS (Image: Archant)

Palgrave Primary School, part of the Tilian Partnership multi-academy trust, received the top notch accolade following the statutory inspection of Anglican and Methodist schools (SIAMS).

Inspector Jean Johnson said the school's strong Christian ethos had a recognisable impact on behaviour, attitudes and relationships within the school.

She also commented on the strong, effective partnership between the school and church community, as well as the impact of collective worship.

Values such as compassion, responsibility, courage, perseverance and service were singled out as central to the every day life of the school.

Also praised were the school's fund-raising activities - initiated by pupils - for charities like Children in Need and the Foodbank.

The inspector said the school's caring and nurturing ethos had contributed towards pupils making such good progress.

Andrew Berry, principal of the Tilian Partnership, said: 'I congratulate Julia Waters, head of school, for her strong leadership on Christian values and thank both her and her supportive staff for the excellent progress they have made since the previous good rating at the last inspection in 2012.

'We greatly value our relationship with St Peter's Church and the church community. This outstanding SIAMS rating is a terrific and gratifying result.'

Head of school Julia Waters said: 'It's very exciting - we have put so much work into this and have gone from good to outstanding.

'One of the things we really wanted to embed were the links between the school and the church community.

'The Christian ethos of the school is about respecting one another and valuing each other - it's now been recognised that these values have a great impact on the learning and behaviour of pupils.

'We are not having to waste time on low-level behaviour problems. We are now in the top 10pc nationally for key-stage-two figures.

'Parents keep coming back to me about how we value everyone in the school, the church and the community. We just do this automatically.'