CHILDREN at a south-west Durham school celebrated their first three years of secondary learning with a prize-giving assembly yesterday.

The year nine pupils at Staindrop Comprehensive School all received their SAT certificates for Key Stage Three.

Headteacher Brian Kinnair said he was particularly proud of the pupils' achievements because their value-added score from Key Stage Two to Key Stage Three was the best in the county and in the top 12 per cent nationally.

A number of pupils also received certificates for attendance of 98 per cent and above, and four children received trophies for special achievements.

A trophy for creativity, in memory of former art teacher Ben Johnson, went to Michelle Rowe.

Amy Alderson won the Bob Golightly Sports trophy for representing the school at a number of sports.

An award for charity work went to Ashlee Wilkinson. The award was given in memory of head of year Jennifer Askew, who died earlier this year in a car accident. Ashlee helped to raise £750 towards Mrs Askew's favourite charity, the Butterwick Hospice.

An award for outstanding contribution to school life was presented to Laura Davies by Bill Jones, the manager of HSBC bank in Barnard Castle, for her outstanding academic record and her help with extra-curricular activities.

Mr Kinnair said: "It has been a very good year and we are very proud of their achievements. We have got an Ofsted inspection coming up soon and we hope they recognise that as well."