AN Essex primary school, which is one of the hardest to get a place at, has been rated outstanding by Ofsted following its most recent inspection.

Students at Quilters Infant School in Billericay "thrive academically, socially, and emotionally," the education watchdog said.

The school is one of the hardest to get into, rejecting 31 children of the total of 91 that applied for its 60 places to start in September this year.

Inspectors say the school, working alongside the neighbouring junior school, has developed "an ambitious, well-considered curriculum".

The Ofsted report said: "Pupils are proud to attend this exceptional school. They are happy and engaged in everything they do. Pupils thrive academically, socially and emotionally in a nurturing, inclusive environment. They behave extremely well and work well together as a team. Pupils support each other to make the right choices.

"Pupils strive to achieve their 'Quiltenee' cape for demonstrating each of the school's values, for example perseverance, bravery or independence. This inspires pupils to be aspirational for themselves and live up to the high expectations of staff.

"Pupils are exemplary learners. They talk confidently, enthusiastically and accurately about their learning. Pupils work hard to achieve whatever they set their minds to. They are rightly proud of their achievements."

Quilters Junior School was rated outstanding following its inspection in November 2024, maintaining the outstanding rating from the previous inspection in 2017.

A statement from the infant and junior schools said: "We are delighted that both Quilters Junior and Quilters Infant Schools have successfully retained their Outstanding status.

"In both cases, inspectors recognised the schools' commitment to maintaining the exceptional standards identified in their previous inspections, while acknowledging that both schools are now even better than when they were first awarded Outstanding. To put this into context, nationally, only 12 per cent of primary schools are now rated Outstanding, and the total number of Outstanding schools has dropped by a third since 2016/17.

"When reinspected, just 28 per cent of schools retain their Outstanding grading, making this achievement all the more remarkable.

"None of this would be possible without the incredible team of staff who work tirelessly to create a safe, supportive and inspiring environment every single day.

"Their dedication, along with the continued support from our governors and partnership of our families, has made this a year of real achievement for our schools.

"As I look back on everything we have accomplished together, I feel immensely proud of our entire Quilters community. These Outstanding outcomes are a reflection of the care, effort, and love of learning that runs through both schools, and I know we will continue building on this success as we move forward. Thank you for your continued support and for being part of the Quilters family."