by Chris Hunter

A Rochester school has been named as the most improved in England.

The Pilgrim School in Warwick Crescent, Borstal, was formed five years ago after the merger of Borstal Manor and St Matthew's Infants - both of which had been threatened with closure.

But in a Phoenix from the flames-style turnaround, the primary school came out top for improvement in the latest education league tables published today.

Head teacher Jan Taylor said the first priority had been to make The Pilgrim School the first choice for those living in the area.

"Before, people were walking past to find other schools," she said. "We had to make sure our focus was on improving standards."

And she added: "We had to wait three years to get a new building. We were on a building site so we had to make sure teaching and learning was at the forefront.

"Now we're seeing the results of all that hard work."

Praising pupils, parents, staff and the surrounding community, she said the improvements resulted from a "real team effort" which had made the school a "fantastic place to be."

The former deputy head also credited her predecessor, Justin Smith, from whom she took over in April.