AN East Lancashire school has been praised for boosting pupils who come from deprived homes. Our Lady and St John RC High School in Blackburn has won the prestigious Quality Mark from the Basic Skills Agency.

Agency inspectors said: "The school refuses to accept social and economic disadvantage as an excuse for complacency."

The agency was set up by the Government to promote a continous improvement in basic skills among pupils across the country.

The inspectors added: "The Quality Mark is fully embedded in Our Lady and St John's improvement strategies."