KEEN parents have helped an infants school win a top award for its work in the community.

Audley Infants School, Blackburn, beat strong competition to secure the prize, which is reserved for the school which is judged to have made most progress in working with local people in the area it serves.

Schools within Blackburn with Darwen's education action zone area were allowed to enter for the Secretary of State's Silver Salver award, which aims to promote schools as centres of community life providing opportunities for lifelong learning.

More than 50 parents have successfully completed a 'Parents as Educators' course run at the school in recent years.

Many have since gone on to study for nursery course qualifications and one is due to start a degree course.

A number of parents are now employed at other schools in the borough.

Parents who lacked confidence in spoken English have benefited from an 'English for Mums' course at the school.

With improved English skills, parents can give their children more support with their own learning.

Maths workshops have also been introduced to complement the English classes and are open to mums, dads and grandparents.

Blackburn with Darwen Council education chairman Bill Taylor presented the award.

Head teacher Susan Grimshaw said: "The school aims to provide a welcoming, friendly and caring environment in which our children and the wider community flourish.

"The school's initiatives, which with the support of the education action zone, has allowed greater access to learning achievement for all our school community."

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