PUPILS and teachers of Disraeli School are holding their heads high this week after they were awarded a national stamp of quality.

Inspectors from the Basic Skills Agency were delighted with the rapid progress made by the school, at The Pastures in High Wycombe, when they visited just before Easter.

A plaque was presented to headteacher Nigel Cook last Wednesday as children accepted their quality bookmarks and badges while tucking into a cream cake.

'Exemplary standards' was among the many praises given to the school after the Government inspectors judged every aspect of the school from the core skills to parent information resources.

It is now one of only four schools in Buckinghamshire to have been honoured with the quality award.

Mr Cook is delighted with the award which he says is a credit to teachers, pupils and parents and is already offering advice to other schools on how they can achieve the mark.

"Everyone has put in a great deal of time and work to get us this far and it is great to be recognised," he said.

He added: "As a school it is all about raising standards and ensuring pupils live up to their potential.

"We pride ourselves on top standards achieved by happy students and as long as we keep it up we have cracked it."

The criteria needed to get the mark includes monitoring and supporting pupils, as well as the production of a file of evidence made up of a newsletter and other practice records.

Rapid progress in numeracy and literacy, as well as a diverse teaching style by teachers were also praised.