A CHORLEY school is just g-RRR-eat . . .

So good, in fact, that eager pupils arrive before the start of school to learn more!

Southlands High has become one of just 18 out of 4,000 in the entire country to win a prestigious quality award for its success in teaching the three Rs.

The Clover Road school received the quality mark by the Government-funded Basic Skills Agency which has the task of improving pupils' standards of literacy and numeracy "to a level necessary to function and progress at work and in society."

Head teacher John Lawson said: "I am delighted at this further recognition of the quality we provide at Southlands.

"The improvement of basic skills is a main aim of the new government and one to which we have been committed for some time.

"One exciting aspect of the project has been the extra use we are making of the resources we have.

"For example, pupils come in before school to use the library computers to develop their English skills.

"The award shows the ambition we have for all of our young people and our determination to provide always the best opportunities for them."

The school went through a rigorous inspection before receiving the award and now becomes a Basic Skills Agency Recognised Quality School.

Pupils are set targets for improving their performance in literacy and numeracy. Each one's progress is regularly assessed, with staff appropriately trained and parents actively involved.

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