The progress made by Borehamwood schools in raising education standards was recognised this week when three received national achievement awards.

Monksmead Primary School was presented with an Excellence Award for the performance of pupils in the core subjects of English, Maths and Science.

Parkside Community School and Furzehill Middle, which closes this summer, both earned Improvement Awards, based on pupil results since 1997.

The schools earned the Government awards last year at a time when they were re-organising themselves ahead of the adoption of a two-tier education system.

John Cooper, head of Monksmead School, said: "We are building a good platform at primary schools in Borehamwood for pupils to achieve at secondary school."

Monksmead, in Hillside Avenue, won its Excellence Award because the results of its pupils were significantly better than most schools in similar circumstances.

Last year between 93 and 97 per cent of its year three pupils achieved the national standard or better in Key Stage One tests in the three core subjects.

Two years ago an OFSTED report concluded that all of the lessons at Monksmead were taught satisfactorily or better, with 63 per cent good or very good.

Phil Fryer, the headteacher of Furzehill, said his school's results had improved gradually, and were now almost at the national level in Maths and English.

Half of all the school's pupils have been on the special needs register, yet last year 70 per cent of year six achieved the national standard in core subjects.

Furzehill, which has won four other awards in the past two years, is one of three middle schools closing this year to make way for Hertswood Secondary.

Mr Fryer, although sad at the closure, said: "I am sure the schools in Borehamwood will go from strength to strength and I am pleased we have been part of it."

Governors at Parkside Community Primary, in Aycliffe Road, praised their teaching staff and claimed children in Borehamwood had "terrific potential and talent".

A county council spokesperson said: "The schools should be proud of getting these awards and it will act as an incentive for them to keep up the high standards."

Hertsmere MP James Clappison added: "This is a great tribute to the schools, especially considering the circumstances of the re-organisation, and it gives us something to build on in the future."

Each of the three schools has received a cash award of around £5,000, which will be distributed amongst staff as a reward for their achievements.

Hertswood School is seeking a further 18 teachers in preparation for taking on the year eight age group in September. The school also wants to introduce lessons in dance and expand its science and sociology departments.