A SCHOOL has won national recognition for helping pupils reach their potential.

Cleves Cross Primary School, in Ferryhill, has received the prestigious NACE Challenge Award.

It recognises high quality work by the whole school to challenge children, including those with high abilities, to achieve their best.

It is only the third primary school out of 225 in County Durham to achieve the award and the 297th nationally.

Rowena Gaston, chief executive of NACE, said: “Cleves Cross Primary School has worked hard to achieve NACE Challenge Award status.

“It has shown itself to be committed to developing a school where all pupils are challenged to be the best they can be.

“The more able and talented children are challenged and this helps the other learners to see what can be achieved.”

The award is given by education charity NACE - the National Association for Able Children in Education - which helps teachers to support the brightest children whilst enabling all pupils to flourish.

Assessors, who scrutinised a portfolio of evidence and spent a day in the school, were impressed by strong management which ensures the needs of more able learners are at the forefront of the school’s work, and praised supportive governors.

They also found that parents celebrate qualities such as the warm, safe environment, a mutual respect between staff, parents and pupils and a wide range of activities for pupils to show their talent.