THE HEADTEACHER of a St Albans school has spoken of her delight after receiving a prestigious award from a national newspaper.

St Albans High School for Girls primary school was named as the Independent Preparatory School of the Year at the weekend by the Sunday Times.

The paper’s 2008 Parent Power league tables ranked the school in Codicote Road, Wheathampstead, as the fourth best in the country based on its exam results.

Headteacher Susan Dunkerly said: "We're absolutely delighted to have received such a prestigious reward. It reflects all the hard work and dedication of the pupils and staff.

"We're grateful for the support of the parents and the governers.

"We didn't know it was comin - we didn't expect it."

Although there were other schools in the country with better results the judges gave St Albans High School for Girls the top award because of its rapid improvement.

They praised not only the its focus on the three Rs, but its continued commitment to sports, drama, and the arts.

Set in 18 acres of rural parkland the school charges fees of more than £9,000 and draws the majority of its pupils from nearby towns and villages.

The award, however, comes in the final year the school will be eligible for it.

From 2009 year Six Sats tests, on which the league tables are based, will be scrapped in favour of a more challenging internal entrance examination for the school’s sister secondary school – itself named the 33rd best independent secondary school.

A hattrick of academic excellence was completed by the boys of St Albans School, named 66th best independent secondary school.

Girls in nearby Hatfield also celebrated success, with the Queenswood School named 79th in the same league tables.