TWO schools marked for demolition have won a ministerial accolade for improving exam results.

Langbaurgh and neighbouring Keldholme secondary schools, in east Middlesbrough, will close in July to make way for a multi-million pound city academy.

Falling pupil numbers and failing academic achievement were cited as the reasons why they must go, yet both schools have scored a first by winning a School Achievement Award, approved by Education Secretary Estelle Morris.

The irony is not lost on the governors who battled to keep the schools open.

Ian Bruce, chairman of Langbaurgh governors, and Brian Whitfield, his opposite number at Keldholme, said in a joint statement: "This award is a great tribute to the professional dedication of all our staff, both teaching and non-teaching, although it is slightly ironic in the light of the original rationale in the two plans of 2000 for closing our schools."

During the 1990s, almost half of Langbaurgh's pupils sat no exams, yet in the most recent results, 96 per cent achieved at least one GCSE.

Both schools have won the award, despite losing 60 per cent of their teaching staff in the two years.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: "We would like to say well done to both schools. The schools will close in September, and the whole school community will be very pleased they are ending on a high note.

"The situation in falling schools' rolls and a vital need to raise standards in the secondary sector in east Middlesbrough led us to be the first council in the North-East to host a city academy with the express purpose of raising standards.