SCHOOLS across the county have been praised for their commitment to staff.

Fifteen schools across Worcestershire have achieved Investors in People status.

It is the only national standard on people management for companies and organisations to help improve skills, motivation and commitment of their staff.

The schools were presented with plaques commemorating their achievement include Nunnery Wood High School, Blessed Edward Oldcorne RC High School, Elbury Mount Primary School, all in Worcester and St Gabriel's with St Mary's CE Primary School in Hanley Swan, near Malvern.

"For the school it's external recognition of the importance we place on training," said Sean Devlin, principal at Blessed Edward Oldcorne RC High School.

"It helps the school with recruitment and retention of staff and parents can see that it's a school that values the staff and they are committed to the school."

Worcestershire County Council has committed itself to having all 300 schools signed up to become Investors in People within the next two years. Half of the schools are already involved in the process.

"Investors in People is a key element of self-evaluation," said Worcestershire's director of education, Julien Kramer.

"It is good for staff who invariably feel more valued, better recognised and better supported.

"I believe Investors in People can play an important part in our drive to raise standards in schools."

Worcestershire County Council's education directorate was itself awarded Investors in People status in January 2001.

The other schools awarded with Investors in People plaques were: Claines CE Primary school; Sedgeberrow CE First School, Evesham; Malvern Link CE Primary School; Holyoakes Field First School, Redditch; Alexander Patterson School, Wolverley; Comberton First School, Kidderminster; The Windmill First School, Areley Kings, near Stourport-on-Severn; Comberton Middle School, Kidderminster; St Wulstan's RC Primary School, Stourport-on-Severn; Simon De Montfort Middle School, Evesham and Hagley RC High School.