IT'S top marks for a Prestwich primary school.

For St Mary's CE aided primary school in the town's Rectory Lane has achieved Investors in People (IIP) status.

The school has a strong family tradition. Headteacher Brian Richards can look back on 22 years at the school and is now teaching the children of some past pupils.

Parents and grandparents are also actively involved with life at the popular primary school.

Mr Richards said: "I wanted to involve all members of staff in the development of the school, not just our teachers.

"And Investors in People has been the ideal way to do that. It has helped us formalise our approach to training and place it at the top of our agenda."

He added: "We are currently compiling our school development plan for next year and now we know we are on target with training.

"Investors in People has also given us some good ideas to build on in the future."

The school was one of the first in Bury and Bolton to use the new version of the national IIP standard.

Hazel Hampson, part of the Bolton and Bury Chamber team which helped St Mary's through the Investors process, said: "This is a richly deserved award and everyone at St Mary's must be congratulated for their hard work."