A BLACKBURN school has been praised by the government for the progress its pupils made last year.

Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School was rated in the top five per cent of schools for progress pupils made between Key Stage Two and Key Stage Four according to the government’s new progress measure - Progress 8.

The Shadsworth Road school was also among the top state-funded schools in England for the percentage of pupils entering and achieving the core academic subjects in the English Baccalaureate.

These subjects include English, maths, history or geography, the sciences and a language.

In a letter to principal Mubaaruck Ibrahim, schools minister Nick Gibb said: “I would like to congratulate you, your staff and pupils for the high levels of progress your pupils are now making and the high standard of entry and achievement of your school in the English Baccalaureate in 2016.”

He said subjects included in the English Baccalaureate are ‘vital for giving pupils the best start in life and ensuring they have the widest range of opportunities available to them’.

“Thank you for your work in producing such high standards and congratulations again to you and your staff for your hard work and professionalism,” he added.