A HIGH school has received double honours after receiving an Investors in People award and the Leadership and Management Standard.

Elton High School Specialist Arts College has become the first organisation in Bury - and one of just a handful of schools in the north west - to achieve the leadership and management award.

It has been developed by Investors in People as a framework to help organisations look at their current and future management needs and ensure that they plan, develop and benefit from effective leadership and management.

Headteacher Mr Neil Scruton said: "This academic year has been an extremely successful one for us. The school is a highly regarded and successful enterprise, and in September 2004 we were awarded arts college status for visual arts.

"Achieving this double whammy is a testament to the high quality staff on the team."

Assistant headteacher and the school's Investors in People 'champion' Mr Robert Moxam, said: "To achieve the Investors in People Standard was great but to also achieve the Leadership and Management Standard was even better. Being the first organisation in Bury to achieve it is the icing on the cake."

ChamberLink, the company that delivers Business Link and other business support services across Greater Manchester, supported Elton High School throughout the process.

Stephen Bromley, workforce development specialist from ChamberLink, said: "I am delighted that the schools efforts in providing a good working environment for its people have been officially acknowledged."

Elton High, in Walshaw Road, has approximately 90 staff and governors and caters for 940 pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds.