Pupils and staff at St Joseph's Primary School, Carryduff, are celebrating after their school was named the overall winner of the 2014 Best Kept Schools Awards at a ceremony on 10th June.

The award acknowledges the County Down school's outstanding commitment to enhancing its environment, and this marks the second year in a row that it has taken the top prize.

Almost 200 schools entered the competition, which is run by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, and winners were chosen in three categories; Pre-Primary, Primary and Post-Primary.

The 'Best of the Best' is chosen from five finalists, these are the schools that have achieved the highest score from the judges across the five school board areas in Northern Ireland. The 'Best of the Best' title is the highest accolade in the Best Kept School Awards competition.

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Chair of the Amenity Council, Doreen Muskett MBE said: "Our judges travelled the length and breadth of the country, across all five school board areas searching for the most environmentally active schools.

"With so many entrants to the competition, both staff and pupils at St Joseph's Primary School should be very proud. It's a tremendous achievement to be named 'Best of the Best' once, never mind two years running.

"The award really is testament to their passion for environmental projects. They maintain an immaculate, clean school, with a wonderful eco garden and vegetable plot. St Joseph’s just exemplifies what the Best Kept Awards are all about."

St Joseph's Primary School has been awarded a monetary prize that will help them with their future environmental projects, as well as attractive signage and a crystal trophy.

(CD/IT)