THE head teacher won an award last year and now her tiny village school has been given special mention in a national review.

Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe Infants' School is one of three run by North Yorkshire County Council which were picked out in Ofsted's annual report. Last year, the head Sue Hollows received a Rural Teacher of the Year award from the NFU after being nominated by parents for her efforts to keep the school going during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Chief Inspector of Schools, David Bell, says in the Ofsted report: "I believe these success stories are a testament to both the talent and the dedication of the staff who work in these schools and the pupils themselves."

Cynthia Welbourn, North Yorkshire's director of education, said: "The North Yorkshire schools which have been listed are already regarded as being highly effective by the local education authority.

They fully deserve the accolade of an honourable mention in Ofsted's annual report. We are proud of their success."

A delighted Mrs Hollows said: "This was a lovely surprise and we are very proud. It is a reflection on the whole school, the children, staff parents and governors."

On Wednesday, pupils were taken on a surprise lunch to Jesters, near Thirsk, to celebrate.

The other two schools praised in the report were Marwood Infants, at Great Ayton, and Filey Secondary School.