INSPECTORS have been ordered into a troubled East Lancashire high school by the Government amid concerns that pupils' education may have been affected by events in recent months.

Schools Minister Stephen Byers has called on the Chief Inspector of Schools, Chris Woodhead, to report back on the situation at Mansfield High, Brierfield, by the end of next month.

In a letter to Mr Woodhead, the Minister admits to serious concerns that recent events at the school "may have had an adverse effect on educational provision there."

Mansfield was rocked by two separate police inquiries into allegations of physical abuse of pupils and the school's financial management. The inquiry into allegations of abuse ended with no police action being taken. Officers are still investigating the school's finances and the inquiry is expected to last for some time.

Head Ernie Pickup and business manager Peter Cowell-Smith were ordered by education officials to stay away from the school until the financial investigation was completed.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice said: "I welcome this intervention by Ministers. Clearly things at Mansfield are not as they should be. We all need reassurance that the children's education is not suffering as a result of all the turmoil." Vice chairman of governors, Mel Simpson, said: "All the governors would agree the main thing is the education of the children above all else."

In his letter to Mr Woodhead, Mr Byers said: "We have serious concerns that recent events at Mansfield High School, Brierfield, may have had an adverse effect on educational provision there."

It added: "The management of the school has been seriously disrupted and we need assurance that the school will be able to operate effectively in the new school year. I am therefore writing to request that you provide advice about the quality of education being provided at the school and the prospects for stability given the current management situation there."

The school's finances were put back under the direct control of Lancashire Education Authority on July 10 after the Department of Education's decision to withdraw Mansfield's prestigious technology college status.

Glynne Ward, head of Ribblesdale High, Clitheroe, will take over as acting head at Mansfield from September 1 and Jackie Turner, a senior teacher from Morecambe, will be seconded as her deputy.

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