A CATALOGUE of failures in the running of a troubled Pendle high school were outlined to concerned parents as a new acting head vowed: "We will turn things around."

A special Ofsted inspection was carried out at Brierfield's Mansfield High School in August after 10 months' of controversy and it called for "special measures" to be introduced because it was not giving pupils an acceptable standard of education.

The report said: "The management of the school is in a fragile state. Contingency plans, satisfactory in the short term, leave the school with no clear educational direction.

"The school's financial management has been unsatisfactory and the impact of expenditure on standards has not been monitored.

"The school has made insufficient progress in tackling the weaknesses identified during the December 1995 inspection. Progress in addressing the key issues has been generally poor."

The criticisms were outlined at a parents' meeting last night but today acting headteacher Glynne Ward said: "The Ofsted report confirms the areas of concern that I had already identified. I will be working in tandem with Ofsted and I am sure after a very short time we will be out of special measures."

Together with the chairman of governors and Lancashire chief education officer, she faced a hall packed with some 200 parents anxious to know the findings of a special Ofsted inspection carried out after 10 months of controversy at the 1,200-pupil school. Many parents of year 11 pupils were concerned about how the problems might affect their children's GCSE exams which they will take next year.

Ms Wynne said: "If I was a parent of a year 11 pupil then I would also be concerned, but I was able to assure then that staff are working very hard to get over the difficulties.

"It was not an acrimonious meeting and I think parents were grateful to have the opportunity to put their questions directly to myself, the governors and the education officer.

"I personally got a very good reception from parents, and even some rounds of applause."

A staff meeting was held today to discuss issues raised last night and Ms Wynne said she had asked colleagues to being to her attention any areas of concern they have.

Since December headteacher Ernie Pickup and business manager Peter Cowell-Smith have been absent, while an investigation into allegations into financial mismanagement is carried out.

Deputy head Alan Duckworth is also suspended pending an internal inquiry into unrelated matters.

Ms Wynne said she was working to produce action on the eight key targets contained in the report, which include establishing a management structure, improving the quality of teaching in particular the pace and challenge in lessons and strengthening monitoring and evaluation procedures.

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