A HUGE envelope marked 'Top Secret' held the news every pupil at Coates Lane Primary School, Barnoldswick, wanted to hear.

The 150 pupils cheered with joy when they were told their primary school had become the first in Lancashire to win a Charter Mark for public service.

And by way of celebration, they were each given a special biscuit and badge saying: "We have won a Charter Mark!"

The school was nominated by a parent, and two of the pupils - Mark Eyton-Jones and Della Cunningham - delivered the application to the Charter Mark office in London along with headteacher Sue Holloway and the chairman of the governors Caroline Oldfield.

To earn the award the school was inspected by two assessors.

Mrs Holloway collected the award at a ceremony in the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre on Monday.

She said: "We were commended for the excellent partnership we have with our parents and the caring attitude displayed through every aspect of school life.

"We were also praised for the tremendous improvements made both in the physical sense and in the standards achieved both at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 - both being well above the national average."

ZNelson and Colne College picked up a Charter Mark for the second time in this year's awards.

The assessors praised the generally high standards of teaching and the good academic record of students.

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