A LEIGH school has joined an elite roll of honour of shining examples of excellence in education.

St John's CE School has been chosen to become a beacon school by the Department for Education and Employment and will now share its success with other schools in the area.

The school joins just 600 across the country to be given the status and it will now be expected to work in partnership with other schools to help them reach the same high standards.

Headteacher Lilian Worthington said: "This is a great honour for us, and everyone involved with the school is delighted.

"We now look forward to sharing our expertise with other schools and are confident we can be of help."