A HEADTEACHER has vowed not to let his school's standards slip after receiving an award for excellence.

Dr Challoner's High School in Little Chalfont has been awarded the Exceptional Schools Award by the Best Practice Network.

It's only the ninth school in the whole country to receive the award after an extensive inspection.

Delighted headteacher Ian Cooksey said: "The school was judged as outstanding by Ofsted in 2012, which is a great achievement and one we are very proud of, but we don't want to sit on our laurels and sit still and assume that's enough.

"One of the things they commented on was consistency of excellence across the whole school. In their view we should be able to keep improving.

"We are not complacent, we want to get better still."

Mr Cooksey added: "We are very pleased - it's a nice way to end the term, to have that recognition."

The report from the inspectors said: "Dr Challoner’s High School is an outstanding school that is held in high regard by all its stakeholders. There is a warm and caring environment where mutual respect and courtesy prevail and there is a shared sense of endeavour and purpose.

"The students are the school’s best ambassadors being hard working and ambitious while showing care and consideration for others and a willingness to work together."

It added: "Students prosper in a climate of high expectations which encourages them to work hard and continuously improve. Teachers are knowledgeable and passionate about their subject which engenders interest and enthusiasm in the students.

"Students have outstanding attitudes to learning, positive engagement and increasing resilience in learning."