Staff and students at a Haverhill special school are celebrating after achieving a ‘world class’ status.

Churchill Special Free School was one of the first special schools in the country to receive the World Class Schools Quality Mark (WCSQM).

The school, rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted at its last inspection, had to outline its credentials through case studies and a community-based project at neighbouring Westfield Primary Academy.

Georgina Ellis, headteacher, said: “We are very proud to achieve the World Class Schools award and I would like to congratulate staff and students for their hard work and commitment.

“It is a great way to gain recognition for the work we are doing in school and also in our local community.”

As part of their work, students at Churchill spent time at Westfield Primary Academy and created a bug house in the school grounds.

The school also recently took its place at the WCSQM annual symposium, which provided an opportunity for headteachers, deputy heads, senior teachers and students from world class accredited schools across the country to share ideas, learn from each other and celebrate their accreditation.