'Happiest' school rated outstanding for first time

Head teacher Tony James said everyone at Malvern Primary School was focused on doing "the very best for the community"

A schools inspector described a Merseyside primary as "one of the happiest" she had ever visited, its head teacher said.

Malvern Primary School in Huyton, Knowsley, has been recognised by Ofsted for ensuring that "kindness is lived out in every aspect of school life".

It was also rated "outstanding" for the first time following the inspectors' visit in April.

The school's head teacher, Tony James, said: "We sell ourselves as doing our very best for the community and if someone wants to come along and say that we're 'outstanding', that's brilliant."

He added: "The most powerful thing for me was when the lead inspector spoke about the tangible sense of happiness there is throughout school.

"She said that Malvern was one of the happiest schools she's ever been to. Now that for me, was job done.

"It's every little thing that you do - every little decision, every choice that you make, the culture that you establish, the expectations that you have, the value that you place on your children and your families.

"All of those little bits culminate and come together."

The school was inspected in April by Ofsted

The school, on Willoughby Road, was described by Ofsted as a place "where pupils flourish".

It noted: "The school's value of 'kindness' is lived out in every aspect of school life.

"Pupils enter school full of smiles and eager for the learning that each new day brings.

"They benefit from close relationships with staff, who know them and their families well. Pupils feel safe and happy here."

The report also said children enjoy learning "and strive to meet exceptionally high standards... As a result, pupils achieve remarkably well. Behaviour in and around school is impeccable."

Knowsley Council's cabinet member for children's services, David Lonergan, described the Ofsted report as "fantastic".

He added: "It is very clear that pupils enjoy coming to school to learn and prosper and that all school staff – leaders, teaching staff and governors – play an integral role in helping pupils to thrive. Well done to you all!"