THE new head of Barden High School, Burnley, has spoken of his delight at taking over a school which has become so successful.

It is the first headship for Dr Adrian Lythgoe, who has been in the teaching profession for 16-and-a-half years.

He said: "I have been really impressed by the lads. They are very friendly and very welcoming and their behaviour in school is excellent.

"Our expected intake in August is up on last year with 75 first choices and we are hoping to build on it in the years to come.

"It is fortunate moving into a school which has a lot of successful self-evaluation schemes already in place.

"The mentoring schemes and the facility to identify needs in the boys and help them work through any difficulties before they go for their exams has paid off with the school's excellent results."

Dr Lythgoe, a teacher of science and mathematics, said he was looking to encourage more parents and primary schools to become involved with the school so that they could see the facilities at Barden and excellent education it offers to boys. He will be approaching primary school heads with his proposals.

He described his 26 teachers as very committed and diligent and that was reflected in the amount of time they gave to working with the children.

He said the school's ethos on caring and achievement was synonymous with his own ideals for education.

Dr Lythgoe, 42, lives in Helmshore and is married to Alison. They have four children Amy, 14, Hanna, 11, Ellie, ten, and Joe, seven.

Before accepting the job at Barden he was deputy head of Ribbleton Hall School, Preston, for four-and-a-half years.

He added: "It is nice to get the opportunity to run your own school and I am very pleased to have been selected."

Former head George Senior retired at Christmas after 15 years at the school.

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