Well done to the whole Junior School community. We were officially presented with our "Basic skills Quality Mark" plaque for this award which we achieved in May 2007. Sue Nicholson, from the Basic Skills Agency, presented the award to two year six representatives. The award runs for three years. Read the letter from Pat Collard, Joint Director of the Basic Skills Agency

The Primary Quality Mark is awarded for three years (during this time regular monitoring visits take place from the LA). After three years the Quality Mark is renewed only if the school can demonstrate that it has made progress in basic skills.

Primary Quality Mark Elements:
1. A whole school strategy including an action plan, to improve performance in basic skills

2. An assessment of pupil performance in basic skills in the school

3. A target for the improvement of the school`s performance in basic skills

4. Basic skills improvement plans for pupils underattaining in the school

5. Regular review of the progress made by each pupil underattaining in basic skills

6. A commitment to improving the skills of staff in the school to teach and extend basic skills

7. The use of a range of teaching styles to improve basic skills

8. The use of appropriate teaching and learning material to improve basic skills

9. The involvement of parents in developing their children`s basic skills

10. An effective procedure for monitoring the action plan and assessing improvement in performance in basic skills

A primary school has to demonstrate that it has all the evidence in place for each Element before the Primary Quality Mark can be awarded.