THE headteacher of a Rawtenstall high school congratulated pupils and staff at an annual awards evening for achieving the school's best ever GCSE and A-Level results.

The Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar awards night was attended by the Mayor of Rossendale, Councillor Eileen Kershaw and her consort Ron Pickup and Chief Constable Paul Stephenson.

The headteacher of the Glen Road school, Martyn Morris, told governors, parents, staff, and students that the school had celebrated its best best ever GCSE results with 145 students passing 1437 exams at grades A to C.

He said it gave the school a record pass rate of over 98.1 per cent, with 100 per cent of students gaining at least five A to C passes.

Another record was smashed when 59 per cent of all entries were A or A*.

He said A-level results were also the best the school has ever achieved with a record pass rate of 98 per cent.

He said : "Although I am not a great advocate of league tables, nevertheless the Guardian put us 101st in the country for A-level.

"All the secondary schools in the valley did well but BRGS was the top school in the Valley for added value."

He said another of the school's strong points was sport -- with the PE department putting

out several successful teams, not just in netball where the girls have reached national finalist status, but other teams such as basketball and football.

He added: "All together, the sports teams have put in a truly impressive performance.

Alongside these activities, I am glad we can offer so much enrichment in our curriculum."

He concluded with reminding the audience about two proverbs: "Firstly, a Japanese proverb -- Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.

"Secondly, a Welsh proverb -- Aim high even if you only hit a cabbage."