A SCHOOL that was branded one of the worst performing in Lancashire in this year's national league tables, has been defended by its headteacher.

Moor Nook Primary, Mitton Drive, Ribbleton, saw just 30 percent of its 11-year-olds achieve level 4 in maths and science, and 37 percent in English in the Key Stage 2 tests.

This is well below the Lancashire average of 79 percent in English, 77 percent in maths and science.

But headteacher, Heather Horne, fiercely defended the children, parents, and staff of the school, saying the statistics did not reflect the fantastic work being done there.

"We are very proud of the achievements of our year six pupils, we have had a ten percent increase in our maths results, and we have a number of initiatives in place to combat unauthorised absences."

Nearly 60 percent of the school's 218 children have special needs, and its level of unauthorised absences, 2.9 percent, is one of the highest in the county.

But Mrs Horne claims that measures have been put in place to help turn the school around including a dedicated member of staff who walks around the Ribbleton estate, before school, to collect children.

In October the school celebrated being the first in the city to boast Extended School Status, which sees it open its doors to teach all members of the community.

Key Stage 2 tests are taken by children when they are 11, the Government has set a target that at least 85 percent of pupils across the country should achieve level 4, with level 5 being the highest grade achievable.

Meanwhile the highest performing school in Preston was St Gregory's Primary, Blackpool Road, with 100 percent of pupils achieving level 4 or above, in English and science, and 95 percent in maths.

In Leyland the highest performer was Moss Side, Paradise Lane, with 91 percent achieving level 4 or above in maths and science, and 97 percent in English.

The figures, released last week, showed the national average was 78 percent in English, 74 percent in maths, and 86 percent in science, with Lancashire slightly above this.