UPPER Avon School, at Durrington, has become the first secondary school in Wiltshire to receive the nationally recognised Naacemark award.

It is one of 263 schools across 84 Local Education Authorities to achieve the award.

The Naacemark is an award that recognises a school's success in developing and implementing an information/communication/ technology framework.

Working towards and gaining the Naacemark enables schools to move forward with the knowledge they acquire while working towards the award.

The Naacemark was developed by Naace, the professional association for those concerned with advancing education through the appropriate use of information and communications technology, and Becta, the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency.

Naace was established in 1984 and has become the key influential professional association for those working in ICT in education.

Upper Avon School received their award at the information communications technology BETT show on January 14, from a Naace representative.

Ruth Kelly, secretary of state for education and skills, attended the show and indicated that the Naacemark would become "the quality mark for ICT in schools".

Ian Baker, Wiltshire county council's team leader for ICT and e-learning, said: "Upper Avon School has performed extremely well and is rightly being recognised for its achievements.

"Schools should view the award process as a means to guiding the development of ICT, as well as providing a nationally recognised mark of success.

"We hope more schools will follow in their footsteps."

John Woodward, deputy headteacher at Upper Avon, said: "We are very proud to be receiving this award. It is a testament to the hard work of the staff over the past five years.

"We have more than 660 pupils at the school and the work put in to achieve this award will ensure we can offer them the best education possible."