SCHOOL MESSAGE: 'Setting the pace for the future' says the school's motto -- and it does. For many years Towneley has been at the forefront of educational advancement, from being the first school in Lancashire to gain the Investor in People award to state-of-the art Information and Communication Technology provision. The recent Ofsted report noted the school's very strong links to the local business community. From the annual careers convention through industry days to mock interview sessions for year 11 students, the co-operation with the commercial world is profitable to both parties. We believe firmly in the totality of education. Academic success there is in abundance, with students achieving well above county and school targets. In sports the school excels too. One of the two East Lancashire youth parliament members comes from Towneley. Year 11 took on local politicians at Burnley Town Hall. Education at Towneley is a challenge as well as an experience.

HISTORY: The school was opened in 1941. During its life it has seen several changes of character. Once it was a technical school; once it was an all boys school. Now it serves the surrounding areas as an 11-16 mixed community school. It is set in Towneley Park not far from the town centre.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: We have 760 students. This is rising as the growing reputation of the school increases and the rate of over-subscription grows. Students are taught in ability sets determined by the subject and class sizes average 26.

WHERE DO THEY COME FROM: The decline of housing provision around the school site means that we attract students from all over the area with some 23 "feeder" primary schools.

WHAT DO WE OFFER: Sporting facilities -- enhanced by our association with the Thompson Recreation Centre -- are the envy of most. The sports complex, with spacious sports hall and all-weather pitches, is used nightly and at weekends by Burnley borough.

ICT facilities are unbeaten in East Lancashire with two large computer suites. The library/resources area also has computers for a whole class group, as well as stand-alone machines and digital TV and reading and reference book sections.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A £100,000 WINDFALL? Develop our drama studio, improving the lighting and seating. Turn the upper floor of the sports hall into a dance studio. Extend the library/resources area. Add a music recording studio. Indeed, set the pace at an even faster rate.