A SCHOOL has received a prestigious award for stretching its most gifted and talented pupils.

Rush Common Primary School, in Abingdon, is only the third school in the county to be presented with the National Association for Able Children in Education’s Challenge Award.

Headteacher Maxine Evans said staff had spent a year getting ready for the inspection, which took place last term.

She said: “We wanted to raise standards across the school and create a challenging, stimulating environment which also focused on more able, gifted, and talented children.

“Standards across the school have risen.

“That is evident in terms of the success we had not only in Key Stage Two, but in all children moving through the school.”

The school had to meet several criteria assessing teaching practices. Assessor Maxine Slade also spent time in the classroom and talked to staff, pupils and parents about their experiences.

She said: “I was impressed by the pupils, who are wonderful ambassadors for the school and clearly enjoy and embrace every learning experience the school can provide.

“Pupils, parents and governors spoke warmly about the inclusive and supportive approach.”

Rush Common’s accreditation will be valid until 2011, at which point the school will need to be reassessed.

The other two county schools to have achieved the challenge award are Edward Feild Primary School in Kidlington and St John the Evangelist Primary School in Carterton.

No secondary schools in Oxfordshire have received the accreditation.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk