EDUCATION initiatives designed to drive up standards in some cases drove teachers away from life in the classroom, head teacher Peter Donnelly told guests at the annual awards evening at SS John Fisher and Thomas More High School, Colne.

The profession was punch-drunk from being bombarded with initiatives and changes, said Mr Donnelly.

He added: "I make no apology for using this platform to raise this issue of teacher recruitment and retention as it is of great concern for this school and others in the future. We owe it to our pupils to ensure they receive the best possible education and for this we need to value and reward our most precious resource, the teaching staff."

Mr Donnelly said all but one of eight staff who had left during the year had been replaced by excellent teachers but it had not been easy. Each job had been advertised nationally but in some cases only one or two applications had been received.

A few years ago the advertisements would have brought in many.

The teachers were not there. Large numbers were leaving after a few years and many were put off at the initial stage.

He added: "Teaching is one of the most demanding, tiring and most rewarding jobs in the country yet I believe communities do not value their teachers enough.

"Communities are too quick to criticise, slow to praise, place increasing demands on and often lay the blame on the profession for society's weaknesses and ills."

Mr Donnelly reported that exam results were again the best in Pendle and one of the best in Lancashire.

He highlighted some pupils who had produced outstanding results --Georgina Connor, Gemma Rushworth, James Rush, Joe Waller, Peter Robinson, David Johnson, Sarah Lucas and Samatha Simpson.

Others who achieved good grades from lower sets through very hard work were Ian Blackburn, Dawn Gedling, Kasha Gregson, Keely Haigh, Chris Heap, Megan Hill, Rachel Riley, Kate Willan and Richard Armfield, who after becoming ill had returned from many weeks in intensive care to achieve five A* to C grades.

Special guest Lord David Alton, director of the Foundation of Citizenship at Liverpool Sir John Moores University, presented the awards.