ANDY Burnham has this week sent a letter of congratulations to Golborne High School for its success in being named as one of the hundred most improved schools in England.

This recognition is based on the steady and sustained improvement in GCSE results at the school between 2001 and 2004. At Golborne, the number of students gaining five or more GCSEs has increased from 36% in 2001 to 58% today.

This improvement in results at Golborne - and across schools in the Wigan LEA area - shows that Labour's investment in education is driving up standards, says the Leigh MP.

Mr Burnham is working with a group of primary and secondary schools in the Golborne area to bring in additional educational resources to the town.

Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP, the Secretary of State for Education said: "Andy has told me about progress at Golborne High and I would like to congratulate all at the school for its success in being one of the top one hundred most improved schools in the country. The improvement is a credit to the hard work of the pupils, parents and staff. It is also a result of the investment this Government has put into our schools."

Mr Burnham adds: "Golborne High School's success is there in black-and-white for all to see. It is a major achievement to be named amongst the 100 most improved schools in the country and everyone in the Golborne area should feel very proud of the school.

"These four years of steady improvement are a real tribute to the hard work of the headteacher, his staff and everyone at the school. But it is also made possible by the investment from the Labour Government. It does the heart good to see more young people from our area fulfilling their potential.

"But we can and should be doing even more to give the young people of Golborne the best possible start in life. That's why Makerfield MP Ian McCartney and I are committed to bringing a brand new primary school to the heart of the town."