A CITY primary school has become the first in Worcester to achieve a quality teaching standard - to add to three other awards it has already won.

Warndon Junior School, Edgeworth Close, was awarded the Basic Skills Agency Primary Quality Mark in recognition of its excellent teaching of reading, writing and maths.

And the Warndon school, which received the award earlier this term, has also achieved a silver Arts Mark, Investors in People Award and the Government Curriculum Award.

"The award is a huge boost because it confirms what a great job the staff here are doing to prepare the children," said headteacher Monika Wadeson-Wilcox.

"I'm passionate about life chances and by educating our pupils in the best possible way we are giving them the opportunity to succeed and seize every chance they are offered.

"Investors in People shows that we help our staff develop their skills, and now the basic quality award shows that we are also helping the pupils achieve excellence."

Mrs Wadeson-Wilcox is now using her expertise as a headteacher on the board of The Basic Skills Agency, which assesses schools in the running for the award.

To be considered, schools need to demonstrate a clear action plan to improve children's reading, writing and numeracy, have challenging targets for pupils and regularly review their progress.

"I honestly believe this is the best school in Worcester because the staff work so hard and the kids are just great," said Mrs Wadeson-Wilcox.

"And awards like this are especially good for parents, who can then be totally confident their children's school is educating them in the best possible way."

Ten other county schools have now achieved the prestigious basic skill mark, which lasts for three years and is only renewed if high standards are maintained.