A SCHOOL has been praised for standing like a ‘beacon in the heart of Darwen’.

Education watchdog Ofsted said Darwen Aldridge Community Academy provides ‘consistently good education’ and the Aldridge Foundation, the trust which runs the school, shares a ‘vision for the school to help drive Darwen’s regeneration’.

In a letter to acting principal David Cane, inspector Neil Mackenzie, said: “You are raising the aspirations of most of your pupils.

“They clearly enjoy and, very importantly, value their education.

“Two of the most striking successes are the inspirational work produced by art students and the success of the school’s sixth form provision.

“The school is good and improving because leadership, at all levels, is strong.”

Mr Mackenzie said, however, that there are some groups of pupils who do not make good progress and the quality of teaching has been inconsistent across subjects.

He said to improve the achievements of the most able pupils further the Sudell Road school must ensure the curriculum continues to adapt to meet their needs and aspirations.