A BOLTON school has become only the third state-run primary in the country to offer a teaching programme normally associated with top private schools.

Tonge Moor can now offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, after being awarded the sought-after International Baccalaureate World School status.

And the only other two state primary schools in the country to hold the status are also in Bolton.

Anne Read, headteacher at the school in Stott Lane, said: “This is a new year honour for the primary school. Children returned to school on Monday to hear we have become successful in our bid to become an International Baccalaureate World School. We are so excited and enthusiastic about this. This new status is about offering children the very best education and raising standards.”

Tonge Moor has spent five years working to achieve the status which is accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation in Geneva, a group which promotes alternative learning. Top O’th’ Brow in Breightmet was the first to gain the special status in 2007, followed by St Columba RC, in Tonge Moor.