A YORK school has become the fifth in the area this year to be presented with the Investors in People standard.

Fulford Cross School joins Tockwith Primary, Robert Wilkinson Primary in Strensall, Rawcliffe Infant and Nursery and Lord Deramore's Primary in Heslington which have all been given the award this year.

The standard is given to organisations which invest in people and achieves business goals through commitment to their workforce.

Joan Lock, head teacher at Fulford Cross, said: "We learned a good deal from the whole process. I have already recommended it to several colleagues as a very useful way of improving systems of staff deployment and training and thereby raising pupil achievement."

David Harbourne, executive director of the Learning and Skills Council North Yorkshire, said: "Without exception, all schools which adopt the people management practices which Investors in People requires, tell me how valuable the process has been.

"We are really pleased to have helped these schools develop in a way which puts their staff and skills at the heart of the organisation."

For information about Investors in People, phone 01904 686000.

Updated: 09:51 Wednesday, December 11, 2002