Alderwasley Hall School, near Belper Derbyshire has been presented with a British Safety Council Sword of Honour following a ceremony at the historic Goldsmiths' Hall, London. Alderwasley Hall School works with young people whose special educational needs arise from difficulties in speech, language and communication, often including Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. The school is part of the SENAD Group who are based in Derby and own a portfolio of special needs schools and adult residential homes around the UK for people with learning difficulties.

Alderwasley Hall School was one of only 40 organisations worldwide presented with the Sword of Honour, which is widely recognised as the pinnacle of safety achievement.

The Sword of Honour scheme, now in its twenty eighth year, recognises organisations that have implemented safety systems that are amongst the best in the world. Only organisations that achieve the maximum rating of five stars in the Council's Five Star Heath and Safety Management System Audit are eligible to apply.Organisations also have to prove they have a culture of aiming for best practice, promoted from the boardroom to the shop floor.The application form covers key areas of safety activity. All applications are independently adjudicated and standards this year were the highest yet.

In congratulating the school Mr Nimick, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council,said: "Everyone winning the Sword of Honour this year has demonstrated that in addition to ensuring extremely high standards of health and safety in the workplace, they have also considered how thier business impacts on others. Being a winner of a Sword of Hounour this year is an exceptional achievement,something that everyone in your company can be proud of".

A message of congratulations was also sent by Prime minister Gordon Brown, who said: " I send my congratulations to all those organisations being presented with a Sword of Honour by the British Safety Council. These awards recognise the crucial success that these organisations and their employees have achieved in their pursuit of excellence in the management of health,safety and environmental matters."

Mr Martin Bradder, Health and Safety Manager for the SENAD Group said: " All the staff at Alderwasley Hall School have worked exceptionally hard to achieve the Sword of Honour this year. As far as we are aware Alderwasley Hall School is the first school ever to have been awarded the Sword of Honour by the British Safety Council and this achievement is recognition of the SENAD Groups ongoing committment to health and safety."