A school has been praised by Ofsted in its first inspection.

St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in Sittingbourne has been rated as “good” by the independent watchdog.

Inspectors found that pupils are proud of the school and feel safe.

The report says: “Pupils told inspectors that teachers are patient and kind, especially when pupils get things wrong.

“Staff are equally positive about the pupils in their care.

“Pupils know this and respond positively when things get tough because they trust staff to help.”

Leaders were described as having a “clear vision” for what the school should be for its pupils and expectations are high.

This has led to a “happy school where pupils are nurtured and achieve well”.

Children with special educational needs and disabilities do well at the school, and staff are “keenly aware of pupils needs”.

“St Peter’s is a happy school where pupils are nurtured and achieve well...”

The curriculum meets the needs of the pupils and the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

However, not all staff deliver the school’s early reading programme “as securely as they might”.

The report states: “When this is the case, the quality of phonics teaching is inconsistent.

“This means that some pupils at the early stages of reading do not benefit from the expert phonics teaching they need.

“Leaders should ensure that the school’s phonics programme is delivered with the highest degree of fidelity possible in all phases of the school and by all staff who teach pupils to read.”

The school, in West Ridge, was converted to an academy in October 2014.

It has 212 pupils and was rated as good in terms of quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision.

It was rated as “outstanding” in the behaviour and attitudes and personal development categories.

The school, which is part of the Kent Catholic Schools Partnership, has not previously been inspected by Ofsted as an academy under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

Until November 2020, it was exempt by law from routine inspection.

The inspection took place on February 6 and 7.

Michael Hutchinson, chairman of the local governing committee, said "I would like to thank head teacher Miss Catherine Vedamuttu and her wonderful team for their ongoing service and commitment to the children.”