A BLACKPOOL special school has been singled out for one of the highest accolades a school can receive.

Woodlands School has got the government stamp of approval from education watchdog OFSTED after Chris Woodhead included the school in his latest annual report.

Head teacher Sam Forde said: "We are a very successful school and I am delighted that our pupils and staff have received the recognition they deserve for their exceptional achievements."

Blackpool's executive member for education, Coun Eddie Collett, said: "Woodlands has become synonymous with high level acclaim and success, having been mentioned in the Chief Inspector of Schools annual report three years ago and awarded 'Good School' status in 1998.

The school meets the educational needs of some 75 pupils between two and 19 years of age with severe or profound multiple learning difficulties.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.