A NORTH Suffolk school is celebrating with another honour. Beccles Middle School has earned top marks once more.Having won the County Charter Standard Awards four times in five years, in 2006 the school was named as the top Charter Standard school in their category for whole Eastern region.

A NORTH Suffolk school is celebrating with another honour. Beccles Middle School has earned top marks once more.

Having won the County Charter Standard Awards four times in five years, in 2006 the school was named as the top Charter Standard school in their category for whole Eastern region.

During this time they have participated in The FA School Club-Link pilot scheme, helped as founder members of the Girls'Middle Schools league and more recently represented Suffolk at the National Futsal Youth Finals in Sheffield, where they reached the quarter final stage.

Receiving Charter Standard recognition has provided a focus for the school's football activities, which now boast curriculum football for boys and girls across years 5, 6, 7 and 8, with 280 (70pc) of pupils participating in extra-curricular football, through A, B, and C fixtures.

The school provides opportunities for talented players, reflected by success on the field during last season: the Year 5 boys were North Suffolk Cup winners and Suffolk FA Futsal Cup winners, not forgetting the Year 7/8 girls who won their league without conceding a single goal.

All this has raised the school's profile with parents and staff. Last February, nine members of staff attended an FA Futsal course, from which they have introduced Futsal as another Football opportunity for their pupils.

When asked what achievement he was most proud of during their time as a Charter School, assistant head teacher and director of sport Andy Adcock replied: “It would have to be the way that girls' football has grown within the school.

“We have built excellent links with local FA Charter Standard Club St Benet's Wasps, who now field three girls' teams.

“A partnership where the school provides pitches for their girls teams to play and the club provides support for our schools festivals with pre-festival coaching at feeder schools and also support on festival days.”