A SCHOOL has been featured in a prestigious publication that has become essential reading for government policymakers.

Ladybridge High School, in Deane, appears in the 2016/17 Parliamentary Review — now a key release in the political calendar.

Established in 2010 by former minister David Curry, the review showcases best practice across a host of different sectors.

The work of Ladybridge High is highlighted alongside a small number of outstanding establishments in a section dedicated to the best secondary schools in the north of England.

Writing in the review, headteacher Martin Witter says the school — which serves some of the most deprived children in the town, — has been on a ‘long journey of improvement'.

He said: “We passionately believe that if it is not good enough for our own children then it is not good enough for the young people at Ladybridge.

“Our last two Ofsted inspections have graded Ladybridge a good school with outstanding leadership and management.

“Complacency is not in our nature. Our journey is far from over, there is still a great deal to be done.”

And he said that the Junction Road school took great satisfaction in its pupils’ achievements.

“We are very proud of our students and they are, as observed by Ofsted, ‘fiercely loyal’ to Ladybridge High School," he said.

“We openly celebrate the diversity of our student body and students take a key role in leadership and management in the school. There is an active school year group council for every year group.

"Students conduct the tours on open evening every year, with groups of prospective parents, and our student interview panel is integral to any recruitment process that occurs in the school."

He added: "Students are actively engaged in all aspects of the curriculum and our extensive extracurricular offer."

Mr Witter goes on to say that he wants his pupils to be able to apply 'to the best colleges, best apprenticeships and best universities in the future'.

He said: "Quite simply we want our students to be the best that they can be and, to quote our previous headteacher Hilary Darcy, we want them to leave Ladybridge with the happiest of memories and the brightest of futures."

The Parliamentary Review’s director Daniel Yossman said: "Ladybridge High School and other hardworking organisations from across the country have come together to make this year’s review possible.

"Sharing knowledge and insight with both peers and government is essential work and I am delighted that this year’s review will reach every corner of the British economy.

"It’s always a real joy to hear from policymakers who tell me that something they have read in the review has had an effect on their thinking."