DARLINGTON'S Carmel RC Technology College has been given a Charter mark in recognition of the quality of service to the community.

The school was commended for the wide range of initiatives it has set up in the past few years.

It has developed a graduate teacher programme with an organisation in Argentina and this year it is offering an MA course for its teaching staff and staff from other schools. The school is a Centre for Excellence for Research machines and holds Investor in People status.

Deputy headteacher Maura Regan was presented with the award by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Estelle Morris, in London.