A YEAR of outstanding results and success, in all fields of achievement, were last night highlighted during a school's annual prize presentation.

Guest speaker, Lancashire's chief education officer Christopher Trinick, joined proud parents, teachers and governors at Colne Municipal Hall to hear the head of Park High School, Colne, applaud the efforts of staff and pupils and pledge further improvements in the future.

Alan Chambers made only passing comment on the controversy over high school admissions in Pendle.

Referring to last year's storm over Park's decision to allow "extra" pupils into the popular school, Mr Chambers said: "Last year began with incident and controversy. "I am delighted to report that this has not been the case in 1996, though I am aware that transfer to secondary school continues to be a live issue and source of great concern for parents of pupils in Year Six."

He added: "It is extremely rewarding to look back over the events of the past year and realise what a tremendous amount we have achieved."

This year's GCSE results were better than 1995's, with more than half the passes at grade C or above and 41 per cent of pupils getting five or more A-C grades.

In the past two years the percentage of pupils achieving that success has risen by more than nine per cent; 18 per cent more achieve five passes at any grade and 13 per cent more pupils get one or more passes.

"These are significant improvements on which we are nevertheless determined to improve next year," said Mr Chambers.

"There will be no complacency. Things are moving in the right direction and will continue to do so."

"I am very proud of these results and the efforts of staff and pupils."

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