A HEAD teacher last night warned government ministers not to "cherry pick" reforms to the curriculum for 14 to 19-year-olds.

Speaking at the Blackburn's Pleckgate High School prizegiving, Robin Campbell, said changes to the academic and vocational subjects available to students should be made with careful preparation.

And he also urged the Government to focus on teacher-led assessments to judge pupil ability, after investing substantial resources in teacher training.

"Our one hope has to be that ministers will not be tempted to cherry-pick from the proposals, in particular shying away from teacher led assessments," he said.

"Many of us want a system that raises participation post-16, providing a diversity of opportunities while at the same time rationalising the 14 to 19 curriculum, its assessments and qualifications.

"But it is crucial that any major reform is executed by closely involving the people that matter - the professionals who will ultimately deliver the curriculum."

Pupil achievement was celebrated with awards presented by guest of honour, Granada TV news frontman So Rahman.

The school's GCSE pass rate equalled the highest-ever performance at the school with 96 per cent getting five or more A*-G passes.

He told pupils: "Remember that it has been a team effort to get you to where you are today and that learning never stops."

The school has been working hard to compile an application to become a specialist maths and computing college.

Mr Campbell said the school fundraising efforts to find £50,000 were "truly staggering" and praised all the pupils, staff and friends for their ideas and commitment.

Pledges from parents have raised more than £6,000.

Eighteen under-graduate teachers were also helped at the school with teacher training programmes.

There were two staff at the school on the graduate teacher training programme, studying

to be teachers at the same time as gaining experience, and six newly-qualified teachers.