A primary school is celebrating becoming one of the first schools to achieve a top award for its supportive teaching methods.

West Ewell Infant School and Nursery, in Ruxley Lane, West Ewell, held a presentation ceremony, earlier this month to receive its Gold Award by Coachmark - the national quality mark for coaching in education.

The award recognises high quality, professional learning through a ‘coaching’ style, which is found to be particularly helpful for learners when they are feeling stuck. 

Staff members at the school are trained in this approach and the school said it is used in every aspect of school life.

Headteacher Lindsay Handcock said: "We are really excited and proud to be one of the first schools to achieve this very prestigious award which confirms all the brilliant work that has gone on over the past few years in coaching.

"By developing a strong coaching culture we believe we have moved from an Outstanding School (Ofsted 2007 and 2010) to Above Outstanding.

"Coaching seeks to enable staff to develop their own skills and has a huge impact on helping children achieve their full potential."