AN ILMINSTER school has walked away with the top prize from a prestigious national award ceremony.

Greenfylde Church of England First School came first in the Infant, First and KS3 schools category at the Government National Pupil Premium Award 2016.

Greenfylde’s win was also another landmark moment, as it was the first school from Somerset to scoop the prize.

The award was collected by head teacher Claire Oaten, deputy head teacher Andrea Jones and Stephen Dixon, chairman of governors.

The presentation was also attended by Education and Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah.

Mrs Oaten said: “The real impact comes in the exciting prizes that are now available for the school. Staff and children will now have the opportunity over the coming year to work with a range of sponsors including the Royal School of Music, the Royal Academy of Arts and the Royal Shakespeare Company. As a school we are always privileged when anyone chooses Greenfylde for their child’s education.

“We have always upheld our responsibility to provide a stimulating and holistic-based learning environment that encourages our children’s self worth and esteem through as wide a range of activities as possible.

“Using the pupil premium funding, we aim to provide a range of activities so that each child can be given a bespoke package to meet their needs.

“Support offered ranges from helping with the cost of uniforms, our popular breakfast club and participation in after school clubs.

“Last year we also developed our provision of the arts hosting weeks for art, music and drama which saw all our children having work displayed in our first whole school Art Exhibition at the The Meeting House and then children performing Shakespeare in the Market Square to name but a couple of events.

“Although these were aimed at giving our pupil premium children wider opportunities, every child in school participated and benefited from the experience. We firmly believe that allowing children to shine in as many different ways as possible directly correlates to their own self belief and has a huge impact on achieving their educational potential.”

Cllr Linda Vijeh, who represents Ilminster for Somerset County Council, praised the school for the award.

Cllr Vijeh said: “The award is testament to the effort and enthusiasm shown by all the staff, children, Governors, parents and wider community in ensuring the children from the Ilminster area are afforded the best possible opportunities for their futures.

“My particular role as chairman of the county’s corporate board means that I am actively involved in ensuring that all of our schools make best use of the additional government funding provided to schools to support pupils.”