STUDENTS from a High Wycombe academy travelled to London to accept a prestigious award on behalf of their school.

A group from the Highcrest Academy, in Hatters Lane, went to the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall to accept the flagship award in a national scheme called the Inclusion Quality Mark.

Highcrest was upgraded to a national Flagship School for inclusion earlier this year after being evaluated in a two-day inspection. It was just the 12th secondary school in the UK to achieve the flagship status.

At the time, external assessor Chris Chivers gave the academy, its staff and students glowing feedback.

And there was more praise from Mr Chivers at the recent ceremony when he told a packed auditorium: "There is a heart and soul to this school; a humane learning environment, ably led by emotionally-literate human beings.

"At the core of this, is a firm trust in the human capacity to improve, supported fully by the love and guidance of a committed community. The children of The Highcrest Academy are fortunate enough to have access to such high-calibre thinking and care."

Miss Oddie said: "We were delighted and honoured to collect this award, and were so proud to hear the glowing tribute about our academy. As we say time and again, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do at Highcrest."

The IQM standard says in its criteria: "Educational inclusion is about equal opportunities for all pupils, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, attainment and background."