A PRIMARY school in Longford has been named as a 'centre of excellence' for providing its pupils with equal opportunities.

Meadowside Community Primary School has been awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark for promoting equal opprotunites for all of its pupils, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background.

And the IQM named the Clough Avenue school a centre of excellence for inclusion during a ceremony in London on Tuesday, September 26.

Head teacher Stuart Wright said: "We are so proud to be recognised with this award.

"Working with our amazing children is a privilege, and we have a fantastic team who always put the children's needs at the centre of everything we do.

"We pride ourselves on the welcoming atmosphere of our school community that enables our children to thrive and reach their potential in all aspects of their lives.

"We encourage our children to think deeply, to ask questions, to dream big and to work hard to make those dreams come true."

An IQM plaque awarded to the school, which has 272 pupils, will now be displayed in its entrance hall.

In her report, IQM assessor Lynne Le Marinel described Meadowside Community Primary School as 'happy, thriving and welcoming'.

She added: "It was an absolute pleasure to visit the school and to be given the opportunity to experience at first-hand such an exciting, happy and motivational environment with such high-quality provision for all its learners.

"I hope that the children, parents and professionals I met at the school will understand that each of them contributed to a very positive IQM assessment outcome."