THE secondary school landscape in East Lancashire has probably experienced more changes in the past decade than in most of the 20th century.

Darwen’s Moorland High School disappeared and two years ago Blackburn’s Beardwood High School (formerly Billinge) closed after 46 years.

Virtually every local authority school changed its name to become a specialist centre for one or more subjects and at the same time a number became academies.

Academy status means they become publicly-funded independent schools, outside council control and with greater freedom over finances, the national curriculum, hours and term times.

Hundreds of millions of pounds were spent as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme which saw three new ‘super schools’ constructed in Blackburn with Darwen, as well as massive rebuilds at St Wilfrid’s, Blackburn, and Darwen Vale High School. In Burnley and Pendle, as part of the BSF programme, 11 high schools were replaced by eight new ones and a special school.

Long established Roman Catholic and Church of England high schools were joined by Muslim secondaries including the separate Tauheedhal Islam Boys and Girls schools and Al-Islah School, all in Blackburn. The independent sector flourished while Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Blackburn, applied to become a Free School.

The Secondary School of the Year category is designed to celebrate, not the buildings, but the real achievements made in enabling pupils to realise their potential.

It’s not just about exams, but nurturing talent and aspiration while giving pupils the skills to equip them for the modern world.

Innovations which have helped to add to the learning experience will also be considered along with the schools’ commitment to, and role in, the communities they serve.

We want to hear from all kinds of secondary schools. Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/education_zone/schools_awards/