PARENTS were today coming to terms with the news that their children's school has been dubbed as failing by Ofsted inspectors.

Darwen Moorland High School in Holden Fold has been criticised by the education watchdog and told to raise standards within two years.

Parents of more than 1,000 students were sent letters last week with a copy of the Office for Standards in Education summary report -- which has received mixed feelings in the community.

Joan Hepple, whose 13-year-old daughter Clare attends the school, is a member of the Parent Teacher Association.

She sent a clear message to parents who had children in primary school and would be starting there in September, to look beyond the report.

"I am not backing the school on every issue but there is a lot more than just this report. My daughter attends the school choir and the range of out-of-hours services are excellent.

"There have been some tough times with teaching shortages but many teachers have been there a long time. My daughter seems to be doing well."

And Caroline Reed, of Bacup, whose daughter Lucie is in Year 11, has been told she is one of the top pupils to be accepted for A Level study at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar.

She added: "The teaching at this school is fantastic and this Ofsted inspection is unfair. The teachers have supported my daughter tremendously and if I child wants to succeed they will at Darwen Moorland."

But one parent, who declined to be named, has a 15-year-old son at the school and feels very let down.

And a mum-of-one, who also declined to be named, dubbed the school "appalling".