A Chorleywood school is “delighted” to become one of only 44 in the country to be given ‘World Class’ status.

Representatives from St Clement Danes, an all-ability school for boys and girls between 11 and 18, collected the award at St Bart’s Hospital in Central London, on December 1.

The World Class Schools Quality Mark (WCSWM), now in its third year, said the students had demonstrated they were beyond OFSTED’s ‘outstanding’ level.

Pupils from across the school put together written and video evidence of the school’s high performance, before impressing in a social responsibility project at an assessment day in Barnet.

Executive headteacher Dr Josephine Valentine said: “As students past and present will tell you, I never miss an opportunity to tell students and staff that we are probably the best school in the world.

“I am delighted that after all these years, this prestigious award gives us at least a little more evidence to support my assertions.”

Unlike similar awards, the WCSQM judges students rather than the teachers or school itself.

Co-director Miranda Perry said: “The Mark is about recognising how well the top secondary schools in the country prepare their students to thrive in the 21st century.

“We are confident that our awarded schools provide their students with the best life chances possible."