TWO teenage pupils have been kicked out of their school after posting obscene messages on its computer network.

The Year 10 boys hacked into the internal system used by pupils and staff at Darwen Moorland before leaving the offensive remarks.

Head Gareth Dawkins would not reveal what the messages said, but described what the boys did as "beyond the pale."

The exclusions were revealed in the school's end-of-term newsletter to parents, in which Mr Dawkins also revealed he was to step down as head in April.

But he insisted that he had accomplished his task of improving the school's performance and was confident it would be lifted out of special measures when it receives a standard Ofsted inspection next term.

He said the behaviour of the school's pupils had improved enormously in the two years he has been the school's head.

The permanent exclusions were the only two this school year, compared to 13 in his first year in charge.

In his letter to parents Mr Dawkins said: "I regret to inform you that I have decided to permanently exclude two year 10 students for inappropriate use of the school IT network.

"They were responsible for sending obscene text messages to other students.

"It is always regrettable to exclude a pupil but we will maintain the standards of behaviour required at the school.

"If there are breaches in our code of conduct, we will use the full range of sanctions available to us and this may include fixed term or permanent exclusion.

"This unfortunate event should serve as a reminder to us all of the rules governing the appropriate use of the IT facilities provided within the school.

"I would like to remind parents of the importance of using the full range of parental controls which exist within internet products, to protect their children from such abuses."

It's understood the two boys were asked to leave the school on December 2 and a decision was taken to exclude them permanently on December 16.

The two boys now have the right to appeal against Mr Dawkins' decision to exclude them and can have the decision reviewed by school governors.

Speaking of his time at the school, Mr Dawkins added: "I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have been here and believe that the school, the staff, students and you can go forward to the future with confidence and a very positive expectation of continued future success."

Darwen Moorland High School was put into special measures in February 2004 after being described as "unsatisfactory" and Mr Dawkins was seconded to the school in a bid to turn it around.

The school is set to be replaced by a £35million academy in Darwen town centre.

It will provide 1,200 places for pupils aged between 11 and 16 and is scheduled to open in 2007 at Moorland then switch to its new site in Redearth around Easter 2008.

Mr Dawkins is to become the principal of an academy in Bradford and be closer to his family.

Coun Dave Hollings, executive member for education and lifelong learning at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Disciplinary action is a matter for schools. Head teachers and governors work within a legal framework when making decisions about exclusions. We cannot comment on individual cases as there is an independent appeals process which follows a decision to exclude a pupil."