PUPILS from Dalton St Mary’s Church of England School all entered the London Science Museum competition in 1993 to have their special messages shot into space.

And in May 1994 they received the certificates that proved that their words and designs had been sent off via satellite and now they just had to wait for aliens to answer their call.

There were 10,000 messages in the satellite and they were also displayed at the Science Museum.

The whole class entered as they were doing a project on space. 

In 2007 Dalton St Mary’s Church of England Primary School was celebrating receiving a glowing Ofsted report.

The school was recognised as being “outstanding” overall.

The latest inspection by the Office of Standards in Education - the government’s schools inspection body - was carried out in December 2006.

Her Majesty’s Inspector of Schools, Martin Bradley, said: “All elements of the school’s work are at least good and many are outstanding.

“The overall achievement of the pupils when they leave year six is very high and has been so for some years.

“The school considered that achievement and standards were good, however in the inspector’s judgment they are outstanding.”

The leadership and management of the school were also called outstanding.

The school, which had 231 pupils, was praised for its “wide ranging” curriculum and care, guidance and support of pupils.

Inspectors said the pupils' personal development and well-being was "good".

Headteacher Susan McWilliam said: "Obviously the whole school is delighted with the inspector's findings. We are really pleased that all the hard work put into the school from staff and children and the support from parents and governors has been recognised and appreciated.

"The day after we gave the parents the good news, lots of them congratulated us. People have said they know it's a good school because the children are happy and do well. Now everyone will know that it's a good school."