THE final Burnley Building School for the Future school is out of special measures.

Shuttleworth College headteacher Martin Burgess said he was pleased by the outcome of the inspection by education watchdogs Ofsted and is already working to improve the latest grade.

But, although ecstatic with the results, Mr Burgess has criticised the inspection process itself for its impact on staff.

He said a ‘very significant’ number of teachers had been signed off sick with stress and of those some have decided not to return to teaching.

He also said there was no respite as inspections were unannounced and the rigorous process left a teacher from an outstanding Ofsted inspected school shocked at the level of pressure place on staff.

The Padiham high school was placed in special measures in February 2008 and its then headteacher Andrew Mackenzie resigned weeks after the inspection. Mr Burgess was then drafted in to turn the school around.

Mr Burgess said: “It’s fabulous, we’re over the moon. The whole place erupted when we broke the news, we are so proud of everyone. There is no reason why they should not achieve the highest level of everything.”

Mr Burgess acknowledges the school has a number of areas to work on including parental engagement.

Inspector Gillian Salter-Smith said: “Shuttleworth College provides a satisfactory quality of education.

“It is improving strongly and has a good capacity to improve further because leaders and managers, including the governing body, have been determined and effective in bringing about significant change for the better in all aspects of the college's work since the previous inspection.

“A resolute focus on improving the quality of staffing and teaching has been effective.”