TEACHERS and pupils proved that dropping out of mainstream education for a few months can be a major key in improving grades a tough education inspection has revealed.

Burnley Pupil Referral Unit was praised for having a "sound range of social skills" to help the pupils in its care, all of whom experience emotional and behavioural difficulties.

And with a motto of building bridges, the school -- which is one of eight referral units across the county -- has now received official praise following the major government education watchdog, Ofsted.

The school teaches just over 20 primary students at any one time for two to three terms as an alternative to main stream education.

Pupils from Burnley are referred to the unit by the pupils referral support service. Some children may have been excluded from their primary school.

Headteacher Jo Smith said that everyone connected with the school in Swindon Street was "over the moon".

"Many of these children are in a cycle of failure when they come here, " said Mrs Smith. "We show that they can success and the children and staff are delighted that their work has been so highly commended."

The school has been operating for twenty years but was praised by Ofsted for a marked improvement on their last inspection four years ago when it was marked as satisfactory.

Inspectors identified particular strengths of the school including high quality teaching resulting in very good pupil progress in learning and behaviour.

And their findings said that pupils time in the unit makes a real difference. The report gave the teaching of literacy, numeracy, science and social education top grades.

Mrs Smith, who leads a team of four teachers and four learning support assistants, added: "Children go back to school better equipped to face life in a mainstream classroom as they improve their self esteem and confidence with us.

"It was wonderful to have our good qualities recognised and acknowledged. I believe that our success lies in the Three Tees -- the team, the teaching and the tender loving care.

"The inspectors were impressed by the calm, orderly atmosphere where care, support, patience and challenging expectations go hand in hand."

But it was still told it had room for improvement by the education authority.