IT is sad that on a day when four Lancashire schools celebrated prestigious Beacon awards another was criticised by the local government ombudsman for permanently excluding a 12-year-old boy.

An investigation into the exclusion of the boy from St Christopher's CE High School, Accrington, by ombudsman Mrs Patricia Thomas, found that he was a victim of "maladministration and injustice."

The circumstances of this case suggest that it should never have got as far as the ombudsman.

The boy was described as a keen pupil with no disciplinary problems. But then he was excluded for "abusive name calling of a teacher and repeating malicious allegations about him."

Earlier the boy had been made pupil of the month. Clearly things went downhill rapidly for this pupil and in such circumstances it is the duty of teaching staff to identify the underlying problems.

The report said he had been made fun of in front of his classmates by one teacher who implied he was effeminate.

The teacher later apologised, but from the report this appears to be hardly the sort of conduct we expect from those who choose to take on the responsibility of educating our children. The boy's mother appealed to a disciplinary committee of governors and then to the independent appeal committee. One member of the committee said the headteacher's response had been "over the top" and that he had "used a sledgehammer to crack a nut". There seems little doubt that Draconian measures were used.

The headteacher said expulsion was a rare occurrence but the school did not shrink from its duties to other pupils, staff and parents.

But it would appear that the school failed in its duty towards this particular pupil. The reasons for his sudden change in behaviour should have been thoroughly investigated and in the light of such strong criticism from the local government ombudsman, St Christopher's should be taking a close look at its disciplinary procedures .

Clearly, there are lessons to be learned from this unfortunate incident.

On a happier note, congratulations to Laneshaw Bridge Primary School, near Colne, Withnell Fold Primary School, Manor Road Primary School, Clayton-le-Woods and Southlands High School, Chorley.

Beacon awards only go to high achieving schools and are designed to improve schools and teaching standards.

They are not handed out lightly and reflect hard work and dedication by staff at all these schools. Well done.