A HEAD teacher has called for community support in the face of Government moves to close grammar schools.

Stuart Holt, head teacher of award-winning Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, told the school's annual speech night that the school had gone from strength to strength since becoming grant-maintained in 1991.

Examination passes were outstanding, with every pupil gaining top grades in at least five GCSEs and excellent A-level results.

"These are outstanding results and I would like to thank the students, their families and teaching staff. There is even more good news," said Mr Holt last night.

"We have been awarded Beacon School Status and approved as a recommended body for graduate training.

But he warned against attempts by the Government to close grammar schools and asked for community support.

"We now face ballots to close grammar schools. Let's suppose people in Manchester get better cancer treatment because of the work done at Christie Hospital. What if I was Prime Minister and said: 'This is unfair. All must get the same treatment. Shut Christie's!' There would be a national scandal.

"Let us suppose the people of Ribble Valley get a better education for their children, as a result of the work done by staff at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. You get the point! I hope that, if a ballot is ever called in Ribble Valley, the community will remember the work this school has done over many years and vote accordingly," he said.

Beacon School Status involves top ranking schools being held up as an example to other schools in the area. But Mr Holt also praised pupils for their enthusiasm and commitment outside the classroom.

He said they had helped to build a baseball field on an Indian reservation in South Dakota, taught canoeing in Canada and New Zealand, swum with dolphins in Hawaii, trekked in the Himalayas, built a robot for a BBC documentary, obtained first-aid certificates and undertaken work experience in France, Germany and the European Parliament.

They had also raised £2,300 for charities, including Comic Relief, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Children in Need.

He also thanked retiring teachers Anne Hartley, James Brookman, Joanne Wilson and Gerry Houghton for their contributions to the school.

"I would like to express my gratitude to the governors, who give so freely of their time for the school, my senior management group colleagues and the staff, who give of their best and work to the highest professional standards to ensure Clitheroe Royal Grammar School gives opportunities to pupils of the highest order," he added.

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