PREPARING pupils for life as well as their exams was the major subject of a prizegiving night at Derby High School.

At the prize evening for lower school pupils, headteacher Mrs Alyson Byrne spoke of the importance of a rounded education.

She also reflected on the school's first year with specialist status in the arts and science.

Mrs Byrne pointed out that figures released for the first time this year showed how much progress students make in their first three years at secondary school.

The fact that Derby came out top among all the schools in Bury reflected "the tremendous commitment and talent of teaching staff".

Mrs Byrne said: "We are a truly comprehensive school -- but we are anything but an ordinary school."

Among initiatives that had benefited students in the lower school were a unique science and arts course, and a special science and arts day.

Mrs Byrne also drew attention to activities taking place outside the classroom and the importance of fostering positive personal qualities in pupils.

Great importance was placed on developing an understanding of citizenship and democracy and the importance of putting something back into society, she said.

"What I feel all of this reflects is that we are not just in the business of achieving good exam results, important though that is.

"We also take very seriously the role that we have to play in helping our young people to reach maturity, with all of the twists and turns along the way.

"A distinctive feature of the school is the time that is taken by all of its staff not only to point our young people in the right direction but to explain how and explain why."

Interviews for the positions of head boy and girls had proved just how successful the school had been in this area, said Mrs Byrne.

She said: "I am hugely proud that the school has produced so many exceptional young people who really are a credit to themselves and to their families."

Looking to the future, it was noted that a new performing arts facility and dining area will be opened in September by the billionaire and philanthropist Dr Peter Ogden.

Prizes were handed to pupils by deputy Mayor, Councillor Wilf Davison, and former Derby High pupil Peter Whitnall, who is now managing director of a vacuum systems company.