AN upbeat speech by head teacher Iain Hulland underlined his pleasure at what he described as "the continuing success" of Rawtenstall's Alder Grange High School.

Mr Hulland told former and present pupils, parents, staff and invited guests how the school had enjoyed their highest ever level of success at key stage three and that 100 per cent of pupils ahd gained at least one GCSE pass during the annual awards ceremony yesterday.

Mr Hulland also highlighted a number of initiatives.

He told the audience: "Our technology college bid is in and looking good, it is exciting and innovative in its ambition to support the regeneration and economic growth of the area."

Mr Hulland also paid tribute to the school's new sponsors, E Sutton of Bacup, and to the pupils themselves.

He added: "Achieving this success wasn't easy -- this success was hard won -- harder than ever in fact. We live in a real world with its cruelty, temptations and dangers.

"The demands of education are huge and it doesn't help when young people wrongly see themselves as sfailures because they been rejected as not good enough by a selective institution.

"That's why I want to offer thanks this evening to so many people."