CHILDREN at a school near Bromyard have been praised by the minister of state for schools following a batch of 'excellent' results.

Pencombe Primary School saw all of its pupils achieve the expected level for 11-year-olds in reading and maths and also in writing.

The 100% score placed the school among the top 159 in the country to gain the perfect record.

The school, which has 53 pupils, also ranked in the top one per cent of league tables nationally according to the Daily Telegraph's tables.

Headteacher Chloe Evans claimed this made the school the "best performing in the county".

MP David Laws, the minister of state for schools in the Department for Education, wrote to the school congratulating them on their excellent performance.

He wrote: "I would like to congratulate your staff, governors and pupils for their hard work and success and to thank you for your leadership in continuing the drive towards the highest standards of educational achievement."

Headteacher Chloe Evans said the achievement was a lovely accolade.

"We are just thrilled to have been acknowledged in this way," she added.

"We celebrate the achievements of all our pupils and are confident that they are well taught and motivated to try their best and reach their full potential.

"To be nationally recognised for this is a real pat on the back for everyone.

"We couldn't do this without the support of staff, pupils, parents and governors, who all work so hard to make Pencombe a great school.

"We all work in a partnership and we would achieve very little without the support of everyone."