A HIGH school headteacher praised pupils and staff at their annual awards evening last night, saying she was already proud to be in charge despite being there for less than one term.

Denise Parkinson took the helm at Norden High School, Stourton Street, Rishton, in September.

Last night she gave a speech at her first awards evening, heaping praise on both pupils and staff.

She said: "I have come to a school which is heavily over-subscribed and one which had queues out of the door when we held our open evening for prospective pupils.

"Parents were telling me that they felt it was Norden or nowhere for their children. It is thanks to the pupils and teachers that people are saying that. I am still new here but I have already become extremely proud of the pupils and staff."

Former headteacher Gena Merrett, who has moved to a school in Salford, attended. Her last year in charge saw the best ever GCSE results at the school, with 40 per cent of pupils gaining 5 GCSEs graded at A*- C.

Some 92 per cent of pupils gained at least one GCSE grade A*- C.

Mrs Parkinson added: "I am determined to promote the positive, by valuing the achievements of all pupils, no matter how small.

"I believe our school will benefit from continued success in the future."