HEADMASTER David Farrant will tonight (Thursday October 10) launch an attack on plans to revamp secondary education when he speaks to parents.

Mr Farrant, head of Walton High School, Nelson, says the Government's proposed changes to re-introduce selection could cause upheaval if any school in the area goes along with the idea, and is a potential threat to education in East Lancashire.

He said: "The Government White Paper issued in June this year proposed that secondary schools should be allowed to select a certain percentage of their students on the basis of academic ability or on the basis of a particular curriculum aptitude.

"If any school in this area change its admissions criteria and began selecting students it would have an impact on the character of the other schools.

"Remember: selection of some means rejection of others. Such a development would undermine the principle of comprehensive education and would lead to an even more divided society.

"I believe that schools should be in the business of creating winners, not picking them."

Mr Farrant, head of the school which used to be Nelson Grammar School, expects the number of pupils on the roll to increase to 800 in the near future.

He said: "Unlike some schools, it is not our intention to embark on a scheme of expansion of student numbers.

"Our commitment to quality is greater than any perceived gains accruing from an increase in the student population."

Mr Farrant praised his teachers for helping pupils to raise their levels of achievement.

The school awarded special prizes to Kirsty Swierkoski and Anthony Swarbrick, Asia Malik, Leon Jennings, Paul Sconce, Dione Gent, Stuart Heys and Jon Hoyle, Emma Holden, Adele Thornton and Leanne Gore and Jemma Grimshaw.

Demand for tickets for the prizegiving has been so high that the school is having a live video link for a second audience in the school gym.

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