STOP using our school as a political football - that's the message from the chairman of governors at Hameldon Community College.

Governors are appealing for the Burnley school "to be left alone to do our jobs" after it has repeatedly been at the centre of political debate.

Chairman David Pickles also confirmed the governors' "absolute faith" in head-teacher Gill Broom as the right person to lead the school to success.

The Byron Street school was in the public frame after intruders attacked a pupil last month.

The incident prompted fresh criticism of Ms Broom and education authority Lancashire County Council from the community, with calls for the head to leave and the school to be closed down.

It was not the first time Hameldon has come under scrutiny.

It is one of the five new schools in Burnley created under the county council's £250million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project in September 2006.

From the outset, many parents and pupils objected to the school because it merged two very different and rival schools, Ivy Bank and Habergham High Schools.

Mr Pickles, also a governor at Ivy Bank for more than 10 years, said: "I don't think any of us ever anticipated the level of attention the school has received. It's been unbelie-vable.

"Being part of BSF means that the school is linked to politics, and this is not a good thing for any school.

"So much attention has meant any problems have been massively over-hyped, and politicians are constantly making comments and passing judgement, putting huge pressure on staff, and governors.

"This negatively affects the community's perception of the school, making the challenging job of getting established and forging a new school culture even harder.

"We have had massive support from the local authority, but if we could be divorced from politics, it would be wonderful.

"That's not completely possible, but it's essential that we are allowed to get on with our jobs without political pressure.

"The governors and staff are all completely committed to moving this school forward and improving the attain-ment of our young people.

"But one of our priorities is getting the confidence of parents, and sensationalised controversy threatens that.

"We know full well what problems the school faces and we have strategies in place to tackle them, and we urge parents to talk to us if they have concerns and we will address them."

He added: "Gill has always had a clear vision for the school from day one, and is totally committed to helping Burnley youngsters achieve their potential.

"I have known a number of headteachers, and I'm not sure that they would have withstood the kind of pressure Gill has withstood, with the political pressures and adverse publicity, but she's determined and we're right behind her.

"We're in it for the long haul, no question."