A primary school in the UK won nationwide acclaim after sending out 'inspirational' letters to pupils along with their exam results assuring them: "These tests do not assess that you are special and unique."

The message, included with Key Stage Two results for children at Barrowford Primary School in Lancashire, told its leavers, "there are many ways of being smart."

It then listed all the ways children were talented outside of exam results and academic achievements, like "being a friend someone can count on" or "looking after a younger brother or sister."

Truly brilliant letter from a primary school to its pupils: you are more than your exam results. pic.twitter.com/SCVsMcdeTP (and it's genuine)

— Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) July 15, 2014

The letter sent out yesterday was signed jointly by the head teacher, Rachel Tomlinson, and the head of year six, Amy Birkett, and addressed directly to pupils themselves.

The correspondence quickly went viral on Twitter with many commenting it should be "the first thing the new Education Secretary Nicky Morgan should read".

The message was also lauded by parents who praised the way it took a swipe at the rigorous emphasis on exams results and testing that dominates education.