A SCHOOL is celebrating after being heralded as one of the best in the country by education inspectors.

Haslingden High School, Broadway, achieved outstanding grades in all areas of the inspection by school inspectors Ofsted.

Only 14 per cent of schools achieve outstanding grades in one or more ares of an inspection but Ofsted said that to achieve all outstanding grades is extremely rare.

The school's separate sixth form was also assessed as good with outstanding features.

Inspectors also praised the school for making drastic improvements in recent years. Its last inspection in 2003 rated the school as good or satisfactory in key areas.

The report said:"Haslingden High School is an outstanding school. It is highly successful in achieving its number one aim, which is to enable all students to achieve their full potential irrespective of their age, background or ability'."

"The school has significantly raised achievement and enjoyment since the previous inspection in 2003 and has worked strenuously and highly effectively to eradicate any under achievement.

The report praised students for their excellent attitudes to learning and high levels of respect and care for one another.

Headteacher Eve Challinger said: "We are absolutely delighted with the report. We had assessed ourselves as 'outstanding', but we didn't expect to be deemed outstanding in everything!

"It's the result of a lot of different elements. Our exams results are fantastic at the moment, in particular at Key Stage Four, in which they are 25per cent above target, putting us in the top 3per cent of schools in the country.

"But we have also been working hard on standards, our students' behaviour is excellent. Strong support from our parents is also an important factor, and they were overwhelmingly positive in the inspectors' questionnaires.

"The challenge now will be to maintain the high standards!"

A spokesperson for Ofsted said: "Out of those inspected during the last academic year, only 14per cent were graded outstanding, but only some of these will have been given the top grade in every single section.

"It's quite unusual and a great achievement, to be proud of."