Staff and students are celebrating after their school went from “requires improvement” to “outstanding” in just three years.

Forest Gate Community School was given the highest rating by Ofsted following a visit last month.

The report, released on Friday last week, said the school had improved “rapidly” under the “exemplary leadership and management” of headteacher Simon Elliott.

They described teachers as “passionate and knowledgeable” and said “achievement was excellent” among the 11 to 16-year-olds.

Mr Elliott welcomed the report, saying: “To achieve an outstanding judgement is an extremely difficult task.

“It could only have been achieved by some of the very best teachers and leaders in the country and the support from our wonderful local community. We look forward to the next challenge.”

The rating comes after the school, in Forest Lane, Forest Gate, achieved a record-breaking set of GCSE results last summer.

West Ham MP Lyn Brown said: “I was absolutely delighted to hear that the Forest Gate Community School has received an ‘outstanding’ rating in its Ofsted report.

“Today’s news is testament to the immense hard work and dedication of the teachers, teaching assistants, and staff at the school; as well as the pupils themselves. I want to congratulate all involved.”

Forest Gate Community School’s chair of governors, Jan Tallis, added: “This outstanding judgement is a reflection of all the hard work put in by everyone involved in our school - students, teachers, parents and governors.

“I am proud that we are making a difference to the lives of children in Forest Gate.”