TWO local schools are among the best in the country after receiving top marks from OFSTED inspectors.

Blackburn schools St Bede's and Our Lady and St John were among only 63 secondary schools praised for receiving outstanding inspection reports.

Inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education visited more than 5,000 schools last year and a total of 159 secondary and primary schools achieved the highest performance grades.

Michael Humphreys, headteacher of Our Lady and St John in North Road, said: "It is a great achievement for the school. We received excellent marks in every category and the pupils, staff and governors are all very proud.

"We have worked very hard over the past 10 years to achieve the highest standards here."

John Challoner, headteacher of St Bedes, said it was a time for East Lancashire to celebrate as Habergham High School in Burnley was also top of the class.

He said: "It is a great achievement for our school to be at the forefront of schools doing well in the country. Examination results show we have made exceptional progress over the pass three years and that is a result of all the hard work which went into achieving those results."

Young pupils at John Smethurst Nursery School were praised for their exemplary behaviour and reaching higher than expected grades after a visit from inspectors in November.

Special praise was also given to the teaching staff at the St James Road school, Blackburn whose skills and dedication helped to promote the high standard of achievement.

Nen Bramley-Haworth, chairman of governors said: "We are now looking forward to working together to further strengthen our school along the lines recommended by the inspectors."

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