ESSENTIAL facts on Habergham High School, Burnley

SCHOOL REPORT

Recognised by Ofsted and the Government as a Beacon School for the excellence of its academic achievement, particularly the value-added improvement of its pupils between age 11 and 16, and between 16 and 18 in the Sixth Form. A nationally-acknowledged "high expectations, high performance" school long before these terms became fashionable.

PRESENT PUPILS

Since 1981, a co-educational, comprehensive school of 1,160 pupils aged 11 to 18, with admission by random selection at age 11. Two substantial buildings, with Lower and Middle School on Byron Street, the Sixth Form Centre on Kiddrow Lane and high-quality playing fields between the two buildings.

HISTORY LESSON

Founded as a Chantry School in 1532, and re-founded by Lawrence Habergham in 1559, with the support of the Towneley and Shuttleworth families. The school moved to its present buildings in 1959, absorbing the premises of the former Burnley Girls' High School in 1981.

STAR PUPILS

Lord Jackson of Burnley, Professor David McLeod (eye specialist), Professor Ian Hargreaves (Ex-Editor of the Independent), Alan Simpson (Deputy Editor of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph), Mark Milner (Business Editor of the Guardian), Professor John Collinge (BSE expert), John Pickard (Composer), Mervyn Brooker (Headmaster of King Edward VI School, Birmingham), Mrs Patricia Taylor (Headmistress of Parsons Mead School, Surrey), Stephen Howarth (Headmaster of King's School, Grantham), Peter Guttridge (novelist), Dr Christopher Lewis (historian), and Allan Whalley and Nigel Hunter (of Chumbawamba).

OUT AND ABOUT

A full range of clubs, societies, meetings and performances promote student activities in music, drama, outdoor pursuits, rock-climbing, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, public-speaking, and chess.

SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT

The Under-13 cricketers are Lancashire County Champions. The First XI cricketers beat the MCC in the annual match in May 2001. They subsequently beat a very good staff side. Habergham's A-level results justify a high place in The Times national league table of top-performing schools.

WHAT ABOUT THE PARENTS?

There is a flourishing Parents', Teachers' and Friends' Association, with regular committee meetings, and often spectacular fund-raising and social events, including the famous Habergham 8 Road Race and Habergham Half-Marathon, with 300 to 400 runners.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH £100,000?

Further develop science laboratories, technology workshops and ICT facilities, and start building a sports barn.