A HEADMASTER has attacked the media over its coverage of examination results.

John Challoner, head of St Bede's RC High School, Blackburn, told a speech night he was fed up of people playing down children's achievements. But he praised the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for the way it reported the school's recent Ofsted inspection report.

Mr Challoner said: "It constantly depresses me that each year, on the day examination results are published, the pleasure taken by staff, parents and pupils in examination success is dulled by the media, which more often than not wheels out those who say examinations are easier than they were.

"While this may be a matter of debate, the fact remains teachers can only teach what the National Curriculum and the Examination Boards ask them to teach and pupils can only attempt the exams that are set for them."

He said the school should be proud of the recent findings set out in a report by inspectors.

He added: "The banner headline which appeared in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph described St Bede's as positively excellent.

"This was their opinion and I could not have put it better myself.

"The preparation for the Ofsted inspection, the actual Ofsted inspection itself and then the period while we were waiting for the findings of the report was a particularly anxious time.

"The report, when finally published, said a great deal about the professionalism, dedication and hard work of all the staff, teaching and non-teaching, and was highly complimentary of the work of the Governing body."

Youngsters were presented with awards for special achievements on the night.

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