TWO West Devon schools were this week celebrating after winning prestigious awards in a national educational programme.

Tavistock Primary School and Lady Modiford?s School at Walkhampton were presented with certificates at a special celebration supper at Buckfastleigh, after being accredited with the National Healthy Schools Standard.

Joe Flynn, headteacher at Tavistock Primary, said the school was awarded the Gold Active Mark at Easter and staff and pupils were delighted it had been followed up by the Healthy Schools accreditation.

He said: ?It?s actually the third time we have received this award , so we are really very pleased.

?The award fits in with our philosophy at school.

?There are many facets to the award concerned with lifestyle, it looks at the curriculum plus the amount of time we devote to other things, like our early morning wake up sessions ? all the really important things that don?t actually appear in league tables at all.?

Jim Knight, headteacher at Lady Modifords, said the school, which has also just received its Gold Activemark award for its physical education provision, has had a ?big push? recently concerning healthy eating.

?We?ve been encouraging the children to bring healthier snacks into school, rather than crisps and things, and the children doing some research into their favourite breakfast cereals.

?I think the healthy eating has made quite a big impression on them as the physical activities have been ongoing at the school for some time.?

Mr Knight said children and staff were delighted with the accreditation, which came during the same week as the ActiveMark certificate arrived in the post.

The Healthy Schools Programme is a national initiative backed by Devon County Council. It looks at all aspects of health and covers a range of specific themes, which are included in the personal, social and health education curriculum.

They include emotional health and well being, safety, healthy eating, sex and relationships education, citizenship and drugs education as well as physical activity.