EXTENSIVE action is needed to improve Burnley's Barden High School say OFSTED inspectors.

They have ordered a seven-point improvement plan after giving low marks in many areas.

Inspectors point out both strengths and weaknesses at the 400-pupil boys' school, but conclude it gives less than satisfactory value for money. Their report adds: "There is little opportunity to improve pupils' education unless extensive remedial action is taken."

They say, however, that Barden is a caring school which provides a sound education for its pupils and attainment in GCSE last year was significantly higher than in the past.

Attendance, states the report is below national average and irregular attendance disrupts pupils' learning. Lateness is also a problem area.

Behaviour was generally good, but there is some disruption in lessons in some years.

"This arises largely from poor classroom management, inappropriate teaching styles and the use of non-specialist teachers.

"The school also needed to take more rigorous action and apply its policies more effectively on the question of bullying," the inspectors add. Teaching, says the report, is satisfactory or better in over eight out of ten lessons seen but standards are lower in some areas.

The school is making a good contribution to pupils' moral and social development and staff deal with problems in a thoughtful and sensitive manner.

But the school does not provide daily collective worship which is required by statute.

High staffing costs and an excessively large building, with high associated fixed costs resulted in little money available to spend on resources which were now "barely adequate" and the school was facing a future without any financial reserves.

Headteacher George Senior is hard working and the governing body is beginning to recognise it must play a larger part in leading and directing the work of the school as required by legislation.

Mr Senior said he was delighted with the positive findings.

They were, he added, a tribute to the hard-working staff who were determined to maintain and improve educational attainment.

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