EDUCATION watchdog Chris Woodhead was criticised for "vilifying" teachers by a headmaster last night.

Alan Chambers, head of Park High School, Colne, departed from his prepared prize night speech to take a shot at Mr Woodhead, who announced his resignation as Ofsted chief just hours before.

"It was unfortunate that Mr Woodhead's personal style was to attack teachers rather than support them," said Mr Chambers. "I'm not saying I'm glad to see the back of him, because I think Ofsted has done a great deal towards raising standards in education, but I did take exception to his personal style. I think that the carrot would have been more productive than the stick. In my experience you get a lot more out of people by encouraging them, not harshly criticising."

Mr Chambers said Mr Woodhead's short-term replacement, his deputy Mike Tomlinson, would be more acceptable to teachers.

In his prepared speech Mr Chambers warned students they are likely to experience several career changes when they leave the classroom.

"The pace of change is such that many of the youngest here tonight are likely to end up, in years to come, doing jobs that don't actually exist now," he told his audience at Colne Municipal Hall last night. "If this is so we must strive to create a culture within our society at large in which education is valued and the need to gain knowledge and skills throughout a working life is recognised and accepted by all."

Mr Chambers spent autumn 1999 as acting head at a Skelmersdale high school and Park was run by his deputy Janet Walsh. Mr Chambers is back at Park and Mrs Walsh will take over at as head of nearby Primet High School, Colne, in January.

Mr Chambers praised the efforts of staff, parents and pupils over a successful 12 months for the school. In the summer 37.2 per cent of pupils attained five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C and 96 per cent of students left the school with at least one pass.

He concluded: "I am proud to be associated with all of the young people here and I hope that they are proud to be part of a very good school."

Picture: Charlotte Bell, winner of the High Sheriff Award for Highest Academic Achievement, with head Alan Chambers (left) and guest speaker Stephen Colling at Colne Park High School's presentation night

Full list of prizewinners in today's Lancashire Evening Telegraph.