TWO East Lancashire schools have been highlighted as proof that children don't have to come from well-off families to get good exam results.

Government statistics show that traditionally schools where children come from poorer families don't do as well in exams as schools with children of weathier parents.

But Mount Carmel RC High School in Accrington, and Habergham High School in Burnley, have bucked the trend to be named in a national league of 50 schools which have a high proportion of pupils on free school meals, yet still get good grades.

Mount Carmel has more than 20 per cent of its pupils on free school meals yet 52 per cent of youngsters gained five or more A*-C grade GCSE passes in 1999.

Habergham has more than 10 per cent of youngsters on free school meals but saw 60 per cent of pupils get five or more A*-C grade GCSES passes last year.

Katrina Ryan, headteacher at Mount Carmel, said: "We are delighted at the increase of A*-C GCSE results in 1999, It is a reflection of the hard work and enthusiasm of staff and students together with the support of the parents. "We also feel it is a direct result of Mount Carmel's commitment to school improvement."

Miss Ryan pointed out that Mount Carmel does have a lot of middle-class pupils as well as children from poorer families.

David Clayton, headteacher of Habergham High School, said that at age 11 the children who arrive at his school get below average results in tests -- but then go on to achieve excellent GCSEs.

He said: "It is because we have a culture of high expectations here and we are always telling our children that they are going to achieve success in academic work, sport and music.

"We are telling children from the age of 11 and 12 that of course they are going on to university, and we have some very well-qualified staff here. We have very high expectations and don't accept failure."

An Ofsted report on effective schools in disadvantaged areas says there is no single recipe for success.

But the report says that schools which show steady improvement against the odds have some common characteristics including strong management, good teaching, a well-focused curriculum, clear communication with parents, and close monitoring and effective personal support for pupils.