A NEWLY-IMPROVED school was paid a visit by two special guests as it celebrated its latest Ofsted rating.

Richard de Clare Community Academy in Halstead, one of a number of schools that is part of Bridge Academy Trust, was visited by newly-appointed mayor Jackie Pell and deputy mayor Peter Caulfield.

The visit came after the school improved from inadequate to good in its latest Ofsted report.

Headteacher Lucinda Bellett said: “Whilst with us, they shared some personal memories of the school, and of Halstead, as Jackie Pell was herself a pupil at Richard de Clare when she was a young girl.

“Peter Caulfield also has some personal connections to the school, having been a governor here over the years. 

“The children were very excited to be congratulated by two of our local dignitaries and very much enjoyed asking them questions about their roles and duties in the local community.”

New mayor Jackie Pell added: “I have seen such an improvement since my last visit, and the children were so happy, pleasant, polite, well-behaved, and it was a delight to see them.

“It honestly was a real pleasure, and obviously the school is special to me as it is where I went to school, so it is great to see how well they are doing.”