THE lengthy search for a new home for one of the area's top performing secondary schools reached a critical point today after a government report revealed its crumbling buildings were a health and safety hazard for pupils.

But despite the damning criticism in the latest Ofsted report for St Wilfrid's CE High School, Blackburn, school bosses are no nearer to finding a suitable site.

The report, which assesses all aspects of school life, found St Wilfrid's to be a good school with many strengths and few weaknesses.

A team of inspectors who visited the split-site school in Byrom Street and Duckworth Street were also impressed with the standard of teaching which is at least satisfactory in 99 per cent of lessons and good or better in most.

They also praised pupils and staff for their commitment but said the condition of the buildings was poor, detracted from effective learning and constituted a health and safety hazard.

A spokesman for St Wilfrid's said: "We are still in the same position we were in three years ago which is that we are looking for a suitable site."

John Leigh, chairman of the governing body of the school, went on: "I welcome this report because it refers to the well above average teaching and learning standards as well as the excellent relationship between pupils and staff, both of which are important characteristics of the school. "It also praises the school for its progress since the last inspection and despite the continuing inadequacy of the present outdated buildings."

Acting head teacher David Whyte went on: "The report is a fitting tribute to the commitment of staff, pupils and parents in association with our local business partners. It endorses everything our school stands for through its very strong Christian ethos."

The school, which is also praised for its links with the community and strong Christian ethos, has caused controversy each time it has looked at what it considers suitable sites.

Head teachers in Hyndburn opposed a move to Knuzden, residents in Feniscliffe protested about plans to relocate the school on playing fields and plans to build on the site of the former Brockhall Hospital in the Ribble Valley have fallen through.

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