A WIDNES school has won a national award for striving to help children reach their full potential.

Ditton Primary School has received the prestigious Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award by national charity the Nurture Group Network.

Halton MP Derek Twigg presented the accolade which is awarded to schools who demonstrate exemplary practice in supporting a range of pupil needs in their school nurture groups.

Nurture groups are led by teachers and help children to overcome barriers to make the most of school and learning.

Headteacher Andrew Buckley said: "Our nurture group has provided children with the skills required to overcome the many challenges they have to face.

"All have grasped the opportunity they have been provided with in order to engage fully in their learning and help them to progress in the future. I am so proud of them all.

"Congratulations must go out to them and the staff who set up the group.

Mr Twigg said: "The staff and pupils have worked so hard and deserve this recognition."

Nurture Group Network chief executive Kevin Kibble said: “Ditton has evidenced its success in running an outstanding nurture group

"The beneficiaries of their hard work every day are the children attending the school, their families and the wider community.

"Our standards to achieve this award are exacting and many congratulations are due to the staff and pupils at the school."