A PENDLE high school at the centre of controversy over the last two years has achieved remarkable exam success, according to its head teacher.

Mansfield High, Brierfield, put its troubles behind it and recorded a 48 per cent pass rate among students receiving five or more A*-C grades, 15 per cent up on last year.

The figure was nine per cent above the pass rate recorded in 1997 before the school's problem surfaced and put it at the top of the table alongside Fisher-More, Colne, as the borough's best performer.

Associate head Peter Dixon said: "This is an excellent performance and even more remarkable given the difficult circumstances in which the school has found itself over the last 18 months.

"It came as no surprise to me. We have a highly professional and dedicated team of staff here at Mansfield who have kept at the main task of inspiring and educating young people. The youngsters also deserve a special mention; they were a delightful year group and it's marvellous for them to be rewarded for all their hard work."

The school is working its way out of the special measures imposed by education inspectors following the loss of several senior staff as a result of investigations into allegations of financial mismanagement and physical abuse of pupils.

Head Ernie Pickup and business manager Peter Cowell-Smith, along with a third man Blackburn sales and marketing manager George Brewin, are awaiting trial on charges of conspiring to defraud the Department for Education and Employment in relation to Mansfield's successful bid for technology college status. The status was subsequently withdrawn by the DfEE.

Head teachers across the borough applauded their students' exam efforts. Performances varied from school to school but teachers everywhere praised pupils' for their hard work. Janet Walsh, acting head of Park High, Colne, said she was absolutely delighted at her school's results. The school recorded a pass rate of just over 44 per cent, the fourth year running the rate has improved.

Among the best performers were Sarah Walker, who got seven A*s and three As, and Rachel Kelly and Sarah Hesketh who achieved six A*s and three As. Peter Odor got five A*s and four As whilst John Rampley received three A*s and six As.

At Walton High, Nelson, the pass rate was 38 per cent, down on the 47 per cent last year but ahead of the education authority's target. Head David Farrant said: "We are very pleased with the results once again. Although they were not equal to last year's they were the second best results we've had in the past five years."

Edge End High, Nelson, easily exceeded the education authority's target of 17.6 per cent, with a pass rate of 28 per cent.

Head Martin Burgess said: "To pass the authority's expectations to such a degree is superb. We're very pleased and I'm sure with the intake of children we've got at Years 7, 8 and 9 our results in years to come will get better."

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