HEAD teachers from two St Helens schools, voted among the best in the country, have been invited to meet Prince Charles at his Gloucestershire home.

John Leake of Birchley St Mary's RC Primary, Billinge, and Elsie Mullen of St Mary's RC Junior, Newton-le-Willows, will spend a day at Highgrove with the prince and other head teachers from the best 100 schools in the country on Tuesday, May 25.

The royal date will involve a trip around the grounds and a look at the many organic and environmental schemes personally designed by the Prince of Wales who will also host a reception.

John Leake said: "For two schools from one town to achieve such success and be invited to such a prestigious event is marvellous for St Helens and underlines the support from our teachers, pupils, governors and parents."

Birchley St Mary's Primary and St Mary's Junior both received glowing reports in the Government's OFSTED reports. Only 223 of the 7,284 schools inspected during 1997/98 made the special achievement listing which is now being given royal recognition.

Elsie Mullen commented: "This success, which has given us much delight, recognises the total commitment and hard work of staff and children. This latest honour really is the icing on the cake. It's a pity that everyone could not attend but I know John and I will be proud to represent both schools."

In their reports, both schools were described by OFSTED's chief inspector as provding "a good quality of education, achieving high standards, particularly in literacy and numeracy."

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