MAPLEWOOD School for severely disabled children has received an Investors in People award for its commitment to its staff.

The school, in Cressex, High Wycombe, went through two days of intensive inspection to gain the accolade.

Headteacher Julie Appleyard, said: "It felt like we went through a mini Ofsted.

"We are all very, very proud. We started with Investors last October and put in for a early inspection in February. We didn't expect to get it. We knew we would do quite well but thought there might be areas to work on.

"But we did achieve all the standards and were formally awarded the Investors in People this month."

Investors in People is a national quality standard which sets a level of good practice for improving an organisation's performance through its people.

The Government launched a three-year Investors in People Strategy for Schools in Spring 1999, to encourage more schools to use the standard as part of their agenda for raising achievement in schools.

Kate Love, a spokesman for Investors in People, said: "The schools must follow exactly the same standards as any other organisation but we are targeting the awards in schools at the moment.

"We really strongly believe in promoting not just teachers, but teaching support even catering staff and cleaning staff, because they all have important roles in the development in improvement of the school."

The school is moving to a new site in Downley, High Wycombe, next year and is trying to raise £500,000 for a hydrotherapy pool.

The pool provides some of the children with a freedom of movement they cannot get because of their disability.

A Black Tie Ball is being held as one of the school's major events and the guest of honour will be TV celebrity Lorraine Kelly, who has become patron of the charity.

The ball takes place on Saturday, May 12 and tickets cost £50, which includes a three-course meal. Other attractions at the ball will include a mini casino, live band, henna body painting, a raffle with lots of prizes, some donated from celebrities and loads more.

Anyone who wants tickets to the Black Tie Ball or wants to donate or help the charity please contact (01628) 521115 or Hazel Howe on (01494) 875021