Last updated 19:43, Thursday, 24 April 2008

HARRINGTON’S Beckstone Primary School has been recognised for its work in the community and its links with local business.

Cumbria Business and Education Consortium honoured the school at a ceremony at the North Lakes Hotel, Penrith, earlier this month.

Some of the links that the school was praised for include its community development centre, which holds the Learndirect contract for Allerdale, its involvement in basic IT skills and IT training for Alcan staff and the support it provides for disabled learners at West House.

The school has worked with a local firm of architects to develop the outdoor space and has supported a fledging gardening company that is being established by an ex-pupil by employing him to work with the school’s gardening club.

Work experience students from Southfield Technology College and Workington Sixth Form are often on placement at the school.

The school also supports charities through awareness raising and non-uniform events and fund-raising activities.

By hosting a weekly parent and toddler club and an over-60s computer club, the school shows how it is involved in the community.

Headteacher David Warbrick said: “The governors of the school were delighted that the work the school puts in on developing links with the community and local business has been recognised.

“An aim of the school when it opened was to be a focus for the area and this award, as well as the popularity of the school, shows that the school is achieving this.”