IT was with some dismay that I read the leading article on the threat to close four Lancashire super schools' unless their exam results improve within three years (LT,une 11).

I can only comment on my experience of one of these schools, Marsden Heights in Brierfield, in which I have served as a parent governer and chaplain for nearly two years.

Having faced and dealt with the problems inherent in combining two existing schools, the professional, dedicated and highly competent management team have succeeded in creating the foundations of a healthy learning community even without the benefit of a new building.

The motivation and commitment of the staff is evidenced by the eagerness of prospective teachers to join it.

And no one could fail to be impressed by the vision and innovation demonstrated by the college.

The Ofsted inspectors were clearly so impressed, judging the college to be satisfactory and improving', a fact the LT report failed to mention.

When will this government come to realise that any judgment of the worth of a school involves far more than its examination results for any given year?

Especially the one immediately following the turmoil of joining the two school communities together.

Perhaps it is time our schools (and other institutions for that matter) followed the lead of those police forces that have refused to engage any more in the petty box-ticking exercises over regulation and paperwork that have for so many years hampered their ability to function effectively and undermined public confidence in them.

Then, perhaps, our teachers will be able to get on with the job of teaching our children.

REV MATT BUTLER, Wheatley Lane Road, Fence.