CELEBRATIONS are under way at Warrington St Barnabas Primary after the school was named in the top 100 performing schools for improvement by the Department for Education.

In a letter from schools minister, David Laws MP, staff at the school on Collin Street were praised on the excellent performance of its pupils in the 2014 national key stage two tests.

These results reveal that the school is among the top 100 performing schools based on sustained improvement in attainment at level four or above in reading, writing and maths over the past three years.

Mr Laws congratulated the staff, governors and pupils for their hard work and success while 'continuing the drive towards high standards of education achievement'.

Head teacher Penny Johnson, who has worked at the school for more than 20 years but took over the headship role 13 years ago, said this had been achieved through a 'strong team ethos'.

She said: "All members of staff expect high standards of behaviour and concentration from the children.

"In our recent and very successful Ofsted inspection in December, the inspectors noted that the children were captivated by their learning.

"This recognition of the schools hard work and consistent progress is a boost for staff, children, parents and governors."

"The school has a very caring ethos which again contributes to the high standards and why it has been at the heart of the Whitecross community for many years."