THE wellbeing of children at a Ferryhill primary school has been recognised with a national award.

Ferryhill Station Primary School has already received the local Healthy Schools award for a number of years.

But, following a presentation from the regional advisor for healthy schools, staff and pupils can count the national award among their achievements.

Headteacher Val Jago said: "The national award includes emotional health, which we work towards with our learning mentor and by taking part in the Reach programme, which is about raising attainment of children who might be emotionally disturbed."

Mrs Jago said that judges were impressed with the school's attitude towards school meals.

"We have about 75 per cent of our pupils who stay for lunch, which I think is quite a high percentage," she said.

"We recently invited the parents to eat with their children on a particular day, but we've extended this so any parent can come and eat.

"The teacher who put our portfolio of evidence together, Stephen Jones, has impressed too, with his work chosen by the local authority as an example of best practice."