Children enjoyed Chinese calligraphy and African drumming at an open day showcasing a school’s “huge” progress since its last Ofsted inspection.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Saniya Ahmed, Tuba Nasir and Hamza Mohamed on the drumsSaniya Ahmed, Tuba Nasir and Hamza Mohamed on the drums (Image: Archant)

The education board declared that Barking’s Eastbury Primary School school “required improvement” two-and-a-half years ago, and staff wanted to show how much the school, which recently became an academy, has changed since then.

The 900 pupils at the Dawson Avenue school now have their own chickens and a radio station, which was broadcasting at Friday’s open day.

Other fun events on offer included a mock Rio Olympics, pirate-themed dressing up, and international cookery.

The children invited Prince Harry to the open day, and although he was unable to come Cllr Evelyn Carpenter and Helen Jenner, the council’s head of children’s services, both visited the school.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Saniya Ahmed, Tuba Nasir and Hamza Mohamed on the drumsSaniya Ahmed, Tuba Nasir and Hamza Mohamed on the drums (Image: Archant)

Administrator Paulo Ramos said: “There’s no contest now. This is a good school, we just need to get that Ofsted inspection to make it official.”