WHEN Whitehall announced its 2003 school achievement awards Herefordshire had 26 of the best.

The awards - cash sums to be shared amongst staff - salute improved test and exam performance between 1999-2002.

And one of the winners, John Kyrle High School, Ross-on-Wye, which gets more than £24,000 even has lessons for other schools in how to get ahead. Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education, wrote to say so, hinting at a future visit.

Since becoming a technology college last September the John Kyrle has seen two science laboratories completely refurbished and building work begun on food technology suites. This term alone, around £40,000 worth of ICT equipment should arrive along with eight all-new interactive whiteboards.

Another winner, Whitecross High, Hereford, has the award on top of the best GCSE results in its history and an 'excellent' Ofsted report that arrived in January.

Head Denise Strutt sees the £20,330 as a spur for further improvement. Whitecross has had a tough few years, but Ofsted's identification of strong teaching and leadership shows the way ahead.

"This award recognises the hard work and commitment (of) staff. We are determined to continue this improvement and to ensure that we achieve our aim of excellence for all, from all."

Dr Eddie Oram, the county's director of education, said that 'over the last few years' almost every local school had received an award to recognise 'solid progress'.

"We are delighted that, once again, a high proportion of (our) schools merit an achievement award."

The Herefordshire winners are: Primary - Ashperton, St Peter's (Bromyard), Garway, Broadlands (Hereford), Hampton Dene, Lugwardine, St Weonard's, Walford, Wigmore, Withington, Clehonger, Colwall, St Mary's (Credenhill), Eastnor, Much Birch, St Michaels (Bodenham), Kingsland, Lea, Leintwardine, St Joseph's RC (Ross-on-Wye), St Thomas Cantilupe (Hereford).

Secondary - Haywood (Hereford), Whitecross (Hereford), Wigmore, John Masefield (Ledbury), John Kyrle (Ross-on-Wye).