A Penge school has been rated good by Ofsted after previously being placed in special measures with an inadequate ranking.

Harris Academy Crystal Palace, in Malcolm Road, Penge, was classed as good by the government body at their latest inspection, one below the highest rank available.

This is the first inspection since the mixed school converted to an academy in September 2013.

The previous school, Malcolm Primary School, was placed in special measures after being ranked as inadequate in 2012 – the lowest grade available.

Ofsted found the school to be good in all five areas it was examined in; in achievement, teaching, behaviour, leadership and early years education.

The report noted the academy, which has 358 pupils aged three to 11, is “well-led” with children making good achievement, especially in maths and reading.

The report stated: “Teaching motivates and inspires pupils. It helps them develop the skills needed to succeed in later life.

“Pupils’ positive attitudes in lessons contribute to their good learning. They feel safe and behave well.

“They are considerate, polite and well-mannered.”

A good relationship between all the staff and their pupils was identified, and they work well with parents.

Disabled or disadvantaged students make good progress in line with their peers.

MORE TOP STORIES The Principal and other senior leaders have made ‘good improvements’ since converting to an academy, with the quality of teaching recognised as a high standard.

But, the report also found that pupils’ achievement in writing was lower than it is in reading and maths.

It also highlighted pupils do not write ‘at length’ enough.

It stated: “Teachers do not always give pupils sufficient guidance to help them improve their writing and to correct errors.

“Across the school, the learning of the most-able occasionally slows because work is too easy for them.”

The report recommended teachers give more guidance on how to improve their work, and give more opportunities for longer pieces of writing.

Ensuring work is not too easy for more able pupils was also identified.

Principal Aliki Constantopoulou – who was also heateacher of Malcolm Primary before it converted – said: “We are very proud of the rapid progress that we have made as a school, and are pleased that Ofsted has recognised it in their report.

“We are excited to build on this feedback and go one better in our next report.”