A TOTAL of 25 primary and secondary schools across Watford celebrated receiving School Achievement Awards from the Department for Education and Skills.

The local schools were among 7,000 nationwide to be presented with the award, which commends the efforts of staff in schools where exam results and levels of student performance have shown substantial improvement.

The accolade also brings with it a monetary award worth around £5,700 for a typical primary school and £25,700 for a typical secondary school.

Watford County Councillor and portfolio holder for education Robert Gordon said: "I'm delighted for the schools that have received DfES national achievement awards.

"Education in Hertfordshire is of a very high standard and this is as a result of the professional approach and efforts of staff and teachers in establishments across the county." Schools to receive the award are: Ashfield Junior School, Beechfield School, Bushey Manor Junior School, Christ Church Church of England School, Colnbrook School, Francis Combe Commmunity School and College, Field Junior School, Holy Rood Roman Catholic Infants School, Kingsway Infants School, Kingswood Nursery School, Laurance Haines Primary School, Leavesden Green JMI, Little Green Junior School, Nacot Wood Junior School, Nascot Wood Infant and Nursery School, Newberries Primary School, Oxhey Infants School, Parmiter's School, St Anthony's Roman Catholic School, St Clement Danes School, St Johns's Church of England Infant and Nursery School, St Peter's Church of England Primary School, Tanners Wood JMI School, Watford Grammar School for Girls, Watford Grammar School for Boys.