NICKNAMED Big Mac or Macca for short, head teacher Anthony McNamara has led St Augustine's RC School in Billington to be one of the best comprehensive schools in East Lancashire.

His global view of life thanks to travels with the United Nations, study and teaching, have brought a unique feel to the country school which will welcome a further 205 pupils next year.

He revealed some of his secrets to CLARE COOK.

The school is the only one in East Lancashire to get Leading Edge status. Congratulations!

We were really delighted but it is largely thanks to our collaborative track record with other schools. Now we will get £60,000 a year for three years to develop new opportunities and we really want to use the chance to explore Young People in Faith and challenge xenophobia with special gatherings that we would otherwise have only aspired to doing.

How much of your own travels effects your work?

I have been head here since 1994 but before that studied in Kansas on a Masters scholarship before travelling to Portugal, Spain, Mexico along with Angola and Africa with the UN. It helps bring a global understanding and remember that there is a world beyond the school. A lot of Christian images are from the Third World.

What are your feelings towards testing?

There is far too much testing in schools and it has become institutional bullying. Tests are more to do with politicians providing themselves with tools to prove their own success than the children's needs. All the nice things about school life are being squeezed out.

What do you love about the school?

Music plays a huge part in the school life. It is rare, even if I am overseeing a detention, that there is not some wonderful music being played. The staff are also incredibly loyal and work so hard.

How do teachers cope with the ever increasing demands on their time?

We have recently looked into work-life balance and are keen to ensure that everyone has enough time for their families, spouses, reading, mountain biking or whatever it may be.

We have also employed new staff to help with the 24 tasks earmarked by the government to help lighten teachers' workloads.

And your spare time?

I love reading and mountain biking. I am reading a great book at the moment by China Novelle which I would highly recommend.

It is kind of a literacy sci-fi but really amazing.