A GOVERNMENT minister has given a Burnley school top marks and has called on other teachers and pupils to follow its example.

St Hilda's RC High is one of 28 schools in the North West which has received special praise from the education and Employment minister Lord Henley.

The list also includes Chorley's Holy Cross RC High School. Lord Henley highlighted the work of the 28 of the region's schools at a special meeting in Manchester. All 28 were identified as successful in an annual report drawn up by a government inspector.

Each school has been handed a special certificate to mark their achievement. St Hilda's and Holy Cross were both included on the good and improving schools list.

Lord Henley said: "As well as excellent inspection reports, the secondary schools have good examination results, and the primary schools are giving their pupils the best possible start."

The minister added: "It is testament to their success that we are celebrating this achievement.

"I hope that other schools will look at the strengths of these successful schools, set improvement targets, and choose the most effective teaching methods to deliver them.

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