MORE than 1,000 staff at schools in Burnley and Pendle have been offered jobs as part of the secondary education shake-up Building Schools for the Future.

Teachers and support staff in the current schools received job offers on Saturday after being matched to posts in the new schools by two independent staffing commissions.

Lord Tony Clarke, who chaired the Burnley Task Force investigation into the riots of 2001, is chairman of the Burnley Commission and Prof Oliver Fulton chairman of the Pendle Commission.

Lord Clarke said: "We were impressed by the thorough and rigorous process undertaken by the heads and authority officers.

"This is another positive step towards improving educational opportunities for the young people of Burnley."

The headteachers-designate will be working with their staff from Easter to prepare for the switch, which will see the current 11 high schools reduced to eight as part of the £250million revamp.

As reported in Saturday's Evening Telegraph, it is thought around a dozen teachers have not been offered posts.

Elaine Cotterell, Assistant Branch Secretary of Lancashire UNISON, said: "Through working with the teacher unions and the authority, we have been able to ensure that all support staff and teachers have been treated fairly. We are confident the process has been administered in a transparent way."

Ken Cridland, of Lancashire NUT, said: "Staff will feel reassured they know where they will be from September. Some will be disappointed and we will be working with the authority to provide them with support and advice."

Any teachers not offered a post will be meeting with headteachers this week to try and find a suitable position.

County councillor Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for schools, said: "We are delighted the experience and skills of the staff at the current schools will be retained to guarantee high quality education for the young people."