PUPILS and staff at Westfield Primary Community School in Acomb, York, are celebrating being awarded the Quality Mark from the Basic Skills Agency.

The mark recognises excellence in teaching and monitoring basic skills like literacy and numeracy.

Westfield is one of York's recently-amalgamated infant and junior schools.

Head teacher Mark Barnett said: "This is a great achievement on the part of everyone associated with our school so soon after our amalgamation.

"To gain this nationally-recognised award recognises the work already undertaken throughout the school in the continuing raising of standards in the area of basic skills."

Updated: 11:57 Tuesday, January 15, 2002