TODAY'S league tables show that a number of Burnley schools created under the Building Schools for the Future scheme have had a "disappointing" first year.

But that is not stopping parents sending their children there.

Out of the five new schools opened in the town in September 2006, three have been named in the Government's "could do better" lists.

Shuttleworth College, Padiham, which replaced Gawthorpe High, has been served a double blow by being listed as providing one of the lowest CVA measures - 965.8 - and having one of the worst truancy rates.

Hameldon Community College, Burnley, which is currently in special measures, is 20th in the table for the 200 schools with the worst truancy record, although its GCSE results are the second best in the town.

Burnley's Unity College, which was recently given a notice to improve by Ofsted, was listed 192nd in the bottom 200 state schools for its GCSE results - just 30per cent of pupils gained five or more A* to C grades, and only 21per cent gained five or more A* to C including maths and English.

Shuttleworth headteacher Andrew Mackenzie said: "Whilst results for 2007 were disappointing considerable progress has been made this school year.

"Attendance has improved significantly with a three per cent increase for the autumn term.

"A great deal of work is taking place to raise the attainment of students and the college is confident that there will be significant improvement this year.

"Shuttleworth is very popular with parents with 207 students taking up the places at the beginning of this year out of a maximum of 210. Numbers for autumn 2008 are also looking good.

"We are delighted with that show of confidence and determined not to let down our parents and students."

Sally Cryer, of Unity College, echoed the sentiment: "We acknowledge that our GCSE results were disappointing, but Ofsted clearly states that we already have numerous strategies in place to improve standards.

"Unity College is very popular with parents with the maximum number of 210 pupils joining us this year. We do not intend to let them down."

Another Lancashire school which has not fared so well is Norden High School and Sports College, Rishton, which has gone from being named one of the country's most improved schools last year, to being in the bottom 100 for Contextual Value Added this year.

County Coun Vali Patel, cabinet member for schools in Lancashire, said: "The tables show the schools in which we know that improvements are needed.

"We will continue to challenge and work closely with these schools to help them carry out their plans to raise standards."

In Blackburn, Blakewater College has also fallen from last year's grace of being named as one of the best schools for CVA, to being named as being one of the worst schools for truancy.

Coun Chris Thayne, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for children's services, said: "We recognise that Blakewater College has had some issues relating to pupil absence, however we are pleased to say that the school has already demonstrated significant improvement and our records for last term show that it is continuing to improve."