YOUR recent report about the excellent Ofsted report on Radcliffe High School was great news for the town. The pupils, teachers and other staff at the school deserve to be highly congratulated for achieving so much praise.

The high opinions of the Ofsted inspection team will not have come as a big shock to parents with children at this school. I have always found these parents to be highly appreciative of its achievements.

The news may, however, come as a bit of a surprise to the many Radcliffe parents who currently choose to send their children to schools out of the town.

At a time when parents of Year 6 children are considering which high school to choose next year, it is timely that this Ofsted report should highlight the exceptional quality of education available in Radcliffe. Both of Radcliffe's high schools have now been highly acclaimed by Ofsted and by others involved in monitoring and raising standards in education. I would therefore strongly urge all Radcliffe parents with children about to move to high school to very seriously consider the options available in our town. Apart from increasing traffic and making it harder for children in other areas to attend their local schools, it is hard to imagine how we can raise levels of pride, confidence and self-respect in Radcliffe if so many children are sent to schools in neighbouring areas.

This latest achievement by one of our high schools should be a source of great pride for everyone in and around Radcliffe.

COUNCILLOR

TIM CHAMBERLAIN,

Radcliffe North Ward.