SECONDARY schools across East Lancashire received a mixed report in national education league tables published today.

Of the 49 East Lancashire schools listed within the tables compiled for the local education authorities at Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council, more than half fell below the national average of 48 per cent for the number of children gaining at least five GCSE grades A* to C.

But the controversial statistics also revealed that many schools in the area have improved their GCSE results dramatically since last year.

More than half retained or improved their rankings from last year, with only 20 schools dropping down the league.

Burnley's St Theodore's RC School was among those celebrating as it climbed 28 places up the Lancashire LEA league from 65th to 37th after improving the number of pupils gaining at least five GCSE grades A* to C from 39 per cent in 1998 to 55 per cent in 1999.

The results put the school among just 21 in East Lancashire to top the national average, with 28 falling below par.

Blackburn's Queen's Park High School, which recently gained status as a Technology College, was among those which produced below average results - but can boast a major improvement in the number of pupils gaining at least five GCSE grades A* to C.

The Shadsworth Road school, which was named worst in the area last year, improved its results by 10 per cent from 15 per cent in 1998 to 25 per cent this year.

Headteacher Vicki Devonport said: "We are delighted with this year's results. Not only the tremendous improvement in the GCSE results but also the vocational qualifications which are our best ever.

"This is due to the dedication, hard work and commitment of the students, staff and parents working together in partnership. "The message is clear. There is no short cut to achieving success but our momentum will be maintained."

Accrington's Mount Carmel RC High School also climbed the table by 24 places from 68th to 44th by improving the number of pupils gaining top grade GCSE results from 37 per cent to 52 per cent this year.

But the gap between the best and worst East Lancashire schools continued to widen, with the top three producing outstanding results and being named among the top 200 schools in the country.

Westholme School, Blackburn, enjoyed 100 per cent success in the number of pupils gaining top GCSE marks, with Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, Waterfoot and Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, achieving an impressive 99 per cent score.

At the other end of the scale, Barden High School, Burnley, is among the worst school in Lancashire for GCSE results, dropping from 70th in the league last year to 96th out of 107 in 1999.

The decline is due to the number of children gaining A* to C GCSE grades, which dropped from 37 per cent in 1998 to 18 per cent in this summer's exams.

In all, just five schools in Blackburn topped the national and county average of 48 per cent, alongside three in Burnley, two in Rossendale, two in Hyndburn and one in Colne.

In the Ribble Valley, where parents continue to scramble for places at over-subscribed schools like Ribblesdale and Bowland, all five topped the 48 per cent average, with the lowest number of children gaining at least five GCSE grades A* to C being 52 per cent at Longridge High.

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