The success of Ilkley Grammar School earned headteacher Gillian James a celebration trip to London to receive an award.

Specialist schools achieving a value-added score of ten or higher in the national league table in 2007 were celebrated for their performance.

Presentations were made by Lord Puttnam, Sue Hackman, director and chief advisor on school standards at the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and Sir James Hill, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust chairman.

Mrs James, above, said: "It's always a challenge for a school like ours to add significant value, since our students join us at such a high level in Year Seven.

"That we do add such value and rank alongside some very strong Specialist Schools and Academies, says a great deal about both our staff and our students, and our commitment to excellence."

This success is just one of three recent awards. In March, Ilkley Grammar became a Partnership Development School and was endorsed by the Training and Development Agency and last week it was awarded the Quality Standards for Inclusion - Bradford Chartermark.