PUPILS and staff across the district were celebrating this week as their schools were named among the most successful in the country.

Three Bucks primaries, all from the Chiltern district, were among 224 English junior schools singled out in Her Majesty's Chief Inspector's Annual Report on Quality and Standards in Education 2000/2001.

A pupil referral unit (PRU) in Amersham was one of just three in England highlighted in the report, published on Tuesday.

Great Missenden C of E Combined School, Little Chalfont Combined School, Little Kingshill Combined School and The Oaks PRU all said teamwork was the key factor in their success.

The latest Ofsted report on The Oaks, based in Elangeni School, Woodside Road, Amersham, describes the leadership and management at the unit and the behaviour and attainment of pupils as excellent.

Headteacher Olive Harrison said the unit was "delighted" with its recognition in the report. "It was very pleasant to hear" she said.

The Oaks provides part-time education to 19 pupils aged five to 11 who are experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties in their mainstream primary schools. Staff help pupils to stabilise their behaviour.

Mrs Harrison said: "The curriculum is based around things to do with real life and the children taking ownership of their own lives. It's giving children a safe base in which to look at these very difficult issues."

Little Chalfont Combined School, in Oakington Avenue, was praised in its last Ofsted report for "very effective teaching characterised by good planning, high expectations of pupils, and good provision for group work". Headteacher Caroline Lewis was praised for her outstanding leadership.

She said: "People here are quietly pleased about this. They are pleased all their hard work is being recognised. It's a whole teamwork thing, with parents, teachers and staff working hard.

"We are interested in how children learn and why they learn and we try and create that formula."

Little Kingshill Combined School, in Windsor Lane, which teaches 258 pupils aged three to 11, was praised for raising standards in English and maths to well above the national average.

There has been a significant change of teaching staff over the last two years all but three teachers are new.

Headteacher Jenny Hall said: "We work together very much as a team here. You are only as good as the team you work with."

Great Missenden C of E Combined School, in Church Street, Great Missenden, has consolidated an already strong record after its latest Ofsted inspection the school has been singled out for national recognition for the second time running.

Headteacher Poula Budge said: "We are delighted. We all work together as one big team"

Chief Inspector Mike Tomlinson said: "As in previous years, this report identifies particularly successful schools. These schools have received an outstanding inspection report and have performed well in national tests, given the circumstances of the school."

February 14, 2002 13:38