TAUNTON'S Bishop Fox's Community School has received a nationally recognised award for the quality of its teaching and the emotional, physical and learning environment that it provides.

The school has achieved National Healthy School Status, which means that the pupils can be assured of a high standard of provision in personal, social and health education; healthy eating; physical activity; and emotional health and well-being.

Kath Wilson, Somerset County Council's Healthy Schools Co-ordinator, said: "There is increasing evidence that young people who are healthy achieve well at school.

By gaining National Healthy School Status, Bishop Fox's has demonstrated that it is able to play a key role in improving the health of its young people by developing the knowledge, skills and positive attitudes required to make healthy choices both now and in the future.

Head teacher Paul Scutt said: "We are delighted to have earned yet another national award having recently achieved the Artsmark Gold Award. Education is about more than subject content and testing. It is a concern to ensure that young people are happy, safe, and able to make positive decisions to improve their own lives and those of others. My thanks go particularly to Karan Robertson, Ray King, Sonya Causley and other members of staff who have made this possible."