MORE national acclaim has been bestowed on one of Leigh's top primary schools.

St John's CE Infants, already a respected Beacon School and one of the flagships of Leigh Education Action Zone, has now been named among the best in the country.

The honour comes in the annual report from Ofsted's Chief Inspector of Schools, Mike Tomlinson CBE.

He has written to St John's headteacher Mrs Lilian Worthington, identifying the Kirkhall Lane school as 'particularly successful', having received an outstanding inspection report in the past year and having performed well in national tests and examinations.

Some 3,500 primary and nursery schools were inspected through 2001 - and St John's is named among the country's top 200.

"My warmest congratulations to Mrs Worthington, her staff, the governors and, of course, the pupils," said Mr Tomlinson.

A delighted Mrs Worthington said: This was totally unexpected, but we are delighted to be named in the Ofsted Annual Report as being one of the 200 primary schools throughout the country considered to be 'particularly successful'.

"At St John's we have a positive ethos, high expectations and good teamwork. This applies to everyone - children, parents, governors, and all the staff, both teaching and non-teaching.

"We also receive such outstanding support from Leigh EAZ for many projects we have undertaken, and for that we are grateful."

Leigh EAZ project director Alan Dutton said: "This is marvellous recognition for all the endeavour and enthusiasm at St John's. I am thrilled at this new honour for such a good school."