STAFF and pupils at two local schools are celebrating being chosen by the government because of their success in teaching writing skills.

Kingsleigh Junior in Bournemouth and Broadstone First in Poole are to become "beacon" schools under an initiative spearheaded by education ministers.

As two of 21 beacon schools in the south-west, they will get extra money to finance schemes to share their expertise in teaching writing with other schools.

This will range from know-how of effective teaching during Literacy Hour for pupils aged five to 11, the setting of clear targets for children and classes and implementing a clear plan of action to raise standards of writing for all youngsters.

The sharing programmes are due to start in January.

Headteacher at Kingsleigh, Reg Davis, said that although he and his staff were delighted to be chosen as part of the beacon initiative, it would be an exercise in co-operation.

"All schools in Bournemouth are working really hard. Some are stronger in some areas, while we, too, at Kingsleigh have our weaknesses. We do not put ourselves up as experts."

The Hadow Road school was nominated for the initiative by Bournemouth education bosses.

Broadstone First, in Tudor Road, was nominated for the accolade because of its outstanding SATS results.

Headteacher, Sue Mogg, said: "We are over the moon. It's a real honour. It's nice to have something really positive that reflects the hard work that the staff and children do."