A WALTON school is celebrating after clinching a top grade from education watchdogs just two years after languishing in special measures.

Once-struggling Hamford Primary School was heavily criticised in its last full inspection in February 2012.

The school was told it was letting pupils down and branded ‘inadequate’, while being given urgent notice to improve after a string of poor reports.

Since then it has converted to become Hamford Primary Academy and undergone a dramatic turnaround, with staff working hard to boost standards.

Ofsted assessors visited the school last month for its first full inspection since being placed in special measures.

They gave the school a rating of ‘Good’, the second highest mark possible.

Hamford headteacher Benedick Ashmore-Short, who has helped turn the school around, said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone at the academy. We have made fantastic progress."

Inspectors visited Hamford for two days in March, observing the teaching in 22 lessons.

They praised the leadership and teaching at the school and said pupils showed top behaviour and good progress.