THE head of a secondary school whose pupils were moved eight miles frome one borough to another for class says the transfer is going well.

Parents were angry when the the temporary closure of Oswaldtwistle’s Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School until the end of this term to demolish and rebuild two unsafe blocks was prolonged for the entire 2019/2020 academic year.

Headteacher Andrew Williams has reported the transfer of its students to the vacant former Hameldon Community College in Burnley has proved a success.

The500-plus 11 to 16-year-old students relocated to their new home last month. Free buses have been provided by Lancashire County Council to take pupils between the schools

New pupils starting in September attended a familiarisation day and 150 carers went to a parents’ evening.

Mr Williams said: “The move has gone really well so far. We are all enjoying the new facilities, and pupils have settled in well.

“The new intake to the school had a great time on their induction day. Going to a different school can be an anxious time but apprehensions quickly disappeared.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with how positive everything has been so far.”

Mr Williams is responsible for managing the rebuild and relocation. New executive headteacher John Tarbox is responsible for day-to-day running.

Oswaldtwistle’s county councillor Cllr Peter Britcliffe said: “This is good news. I am pleased the transfer has gone well.

“Let’s now hope that the essential building work is complete in time for the pupils to settle back into Rhyddings in September next year.”

Cllr Phillippa Williamson, Lancashire County Council’s education boss, said: “This was a difficult decision to take but the building work at Rhyddings is absolutely necessary. This is a really practical solution.”