A NORTH Yorkshire school was today highlighted by the Government's chief inspector of schools for delivering high standards in the classroom.

St Aidan's CE High School in Harrogate is one of just 159 schools across the country to receive an 'Ofsted Oscar' - listed by Chris Woodhead as achieving high performance.

In the Office For Standards in Education (Ofsted) annual report, Mr Woodhead said the schools selected for special praise achieved high exam success compared to similar schools and provided "a good quality of education".

St Aidan's head teacher Dennis Richards said: "This recognition is very rewarding for all connected with St Aidan's in whatever capacity. The inspectors enjoyed their time at St Aidans - they met some delightful pupils and some first class teaching."

Some 7,000 schools were inspected in the year 1996/97, including 950 secondary, 5,600 primary, middle and nursery, and 500 special schools.

Manor Nursery School in Beverley was the only other school in the region to be given an extra-special pat on the back by Ofsted.

Mr Woodhead said pupils in nurseries like Manor Nursery "achieve high standards in literacy and numeracy and make an excellent start to their education."

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