Five Barnet schools were awarded beacon status this week as part of the Government's ongoing crusade to raise standards.

They will be given grants of around £35,000 each to spread good practice with at least one, possibly underachieving, partner school. This might involve inviting outside teachers to sit in on lessons and sending staff out to share ideas with other schools.

The appointments which add to Barnet's three existing beacon schools represent a vote of confidence in the borough's schools. Education and Skills Secretary Estelle Morris said: "Schools use the extra funding to work with their partner schools. New research shows that by sharing good practice and allowing teachers to learn from our best schools, diversity becomes a win win for all."

Teresa Lynch, headteacher of The Annunciation RC Infant School in Thirleby Road, Edgware, said her school's beacon status was a testament to hard work.

Miss Lynch added: "If we can help other teachers and share professional ideas then it's all for the good of the children."

Kate Webster, headteacher of Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School, in High Street, Barnet, said beacon status "oiled the wheels" in sharing good practice.

"It will involve some extra work for us but equally it

will give us the opportunities to do things which we might not have been able to do," she added.

Councillor Alison Moore, Barnet Council's education spokeswoman, said good practice was shared on an ongoing basis already and beacon status added to that.

She added: "I'm delighted at this further recognition of some of the excellent work in Barnet schools and look forward to the impact the partnerships will bring in raising achievement."

New beacon schools:

Church Hill Primary School, Burlington Rise, East Barnet

The Annunciation RC Infant School, Thirleby Road, Edgware

Dollis Junior School, Pursley Road, Mill Hill

Queen Elizabeth's School, Queen's Road, Barnet

Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School, High Street, BarnetJune 26, 2001 14:58