TWO pieces of good news greeted Palatine pupils as they went back to school last week.

The St Annes Road school, South Shore, passed its summer OFSTED inspection with flying colours, and it has been awarded Investors in People (IiP) status.

Head teacher John McNaughton said the awards show the school is improving. He said the OFSTED report also praised the quality of teaching and the pupils' attitude to school.

"The inspectors found what an increasing number of parents already knew -- that Palatine is a happy school where children will achieve to the best of their ability and one to which they will enjoy coming."

The prestigious IiP award is a national standard showing that an organisation values its employees and is committed to their training and development.

Assistant head teacher Frank Shipway said: "At Palatine we have always thought of our staff as our number one resource and treated them accordingly.

"We have an excellent group of staff and it is right that their commitment to the school is recognised in this highly prestigious award."