SKERTON High School has been officially recognised as the best in the country for getting pre-16 students through their GNVQs.

The local school has established itself as a centre of excellence with a pass rate of more than 82 per cent compared to a national average of 53 per cent.

Chairman of Lancashire County Council's education committee, Hazel Harding, visited the school last week to congratulate hardworking pupils and staff.

She said: "Skerton High School is leading the way by broadening the curriculum and making lessons more relevant to the challenges students will face in higher education. Skerton has achieved exceptional success. This year twenty students have attained distinctions - equivalent to two A grades at GCSE."

She added: "Many of these students will progress to higher education as a result of the grounding they have received."

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