SCHOOL REPORT: The philosophy of the school hinges on a concern for individual students whatever their ability or background, summed up in the school motto "Learn to Live".

The school's excellent standing in the community derives from the immense measure of support it receives from all the people it serves.

The social tone and ethos of the school are both very positive as too is the overall quality of the actual physical working environment. Improving GCSE results also reflect the high standards expected of all our students.

Students are placed in mixed ability tutor groups on entry. In Year Seven ability groups are set for Maths and Science and will be broadly progressed through Year Eight and Nine.

The Key Stage Three curriculum follows the National Curriculum developments and in Key Stage Four, through a programme of individual guidance, students are placed on courses most suited to their particular circumstances.

The school also actively promotes Drugs Education, helping students to be better informed about the risks of illegal drugs and develop conformed opinions while keeping a tolerance of the victims of drugs.

HISTORY LESSON: Darwen is a small industrial town with strong roots with manufacturing. Darwen Moorland High School was formed in 1972 from Darwen Secondary Technical School and Darwen Knowle Secondary Modern. The school now occupies one set of premises which has been modernised, refurbished and decorated. This has included the completion of two very impressive building programmes with an input of over £2million. We now have the use of a new purpose-built building for Technology, and IT, along with a sports hall. A state-of-the-art whole school ICT Curriculum Network is now in place. An investment of another £100,000 has, in this new year, increased our ICT provision still further.

NUMBER OF PUPILS: Students come from over 12 local Church of England or LEA Primary Schools, though there is a natural tendency for stronger links with our nearest neighbours. The size of intake has increased over the last six years. There are approximately 1130 students on roll and all years are comprehensive in ability.

SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT: The school has welcomed 10 new teachers this year and is celebrating the success of the GCSE pupils. In 2002 there were 222 students in Year 11 and 90 per cent achieved 5 or more GCSE passes and more than 30 per cent achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C. We have also consistently supported the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Year 8 pupils excelled at an enrichment weekend at Tower Wood Outdoor Education Centre and work experience reports have been outstanding. A group of Year 9 pupils have opted to take on a Double Award ICT award in the spring term and will be attending Blackburn college to further their skills. And Year 7 and 8s realised it is not all hard work when they visited the South of France for an action-packed watersports holiday.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A £100,000 WINDFALL?: A windfall would be split and used in our budget for improving the school environment for our students and additional teaching staff. That way we can deliver even better services year on year.