ELEVEN primary schools from Stockton have joined forces to commit to the Investors in People programme.

The commitment means that the schools will work and support each other throughout the investors process.

The Investors in People standard is a nationally recognised award given to organisations that train and develop their staff to meet the business goals and targets.

The relationship between the 11 schools, the Village, Tilery, St John the Baptist, Whitehouse, Rebrook, Norton, Bewley Infants, High Clarence, Preston, Kirklevington and Durham Lane primaries, began to form when they were brought together at the workshop they attended as part of a Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley Build a Better Business support programme.

The schools hope to gain Investors in People recognition by July.

They will continue to receive guidance and support to allow them to address issues such as increasing pupil achievement and how to involve everyone employed by the school.

Stanley Bedford, director of education, leisure and cultural services for Stockton Borough Council, said: "The investors process is enormously helpful in supporting the development of schools and will assist them in their drive to raise standards."

It is hoped that the partnership will act as a model to schools wishing to achieve investors standard in the Tees Valley, and possibly throughout the UK.

The vision to bring the schools together to achieve the Investors banner came out of consultations between representatives from each school, Stockton council and the Learning and Skills Council in the Tees Valley.