HIGH marks were awarded to St Theodore's RC High School, Burnley, by Government inspectors who said its strengths outweighed its weaknesses.

The strengths included promoting and achieving good behaviour, curriculum enrichment through good community links, good career guidance and good provision for pupils' spiritual and moral development.

Weaknesses were insufficient challenge the higher attaining pupils in some areas and the consistency of the linking of the assessment of pupils' attainment to National Curriculum requirements.

The report said the governors' action plan will set out how the weaknesses will be tackled and will be sent to all parents.

Some parents said they were not happy about the quality and frequency of homework and the lack of challenge their children received.

The inspectors kept careful watch and judged the appropriateness of homework to be satisfactory, regularly set and marked. Parental concern was, however, sufficiently high for it to warrant continual monitoring.

Pupils were commended for their positive attitude to learning with a good rapport between teachers and pupils creating a general feeling of harmony.

The sixth form got particular praise for A-level attainment with the average points score well above the national average.

Extra-curricular activities and achievements were a source of pride and sporting achievements were outstanding.

New head John Tat said teachers and pupils emerged from the inspection with great credit for the quality of teaching and learning and for how they successfully put into practice the school's Catholic ethos.

Governors' chairman, County Councillor John Entwistle said the report was a tremendous vote of confidence in the school.

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