FORMER Overseas Development Minister, Baroness Chalker, was the star guest at Bolton School's presentation day. The life Peer and Privy Counsellor spoke at the Girls' Division sixth form presentation afternoon on Friday. Headteacher Jane Panton invited the fomer MP for Wallasey as a shining example for her pupils.

"Her CV is awe inspiring. What a role model for you all. A woman educated in the private sector, who has then spent much of her life in public service," she said.

Miss Panton also stressed the importance of breaking down the barriers between private and state schools, when she welcomed Bolton's Director of Education, Margaret Blenkinsop.

Over the past year Mrs Blenkinsop has worked towards bringing Bolton School into the fold during deliberations about the way forward for education in the town, particularly during discussions about how local sixth forms can work together.

Partnership

"The fact that Bolton School has been invited to join the working group is a tangible example of partnership, which the new government wants with the private sector," she said.

The great, granddaughter of founder, Lord Leverhulme, also attended the presentation evening, after being elected a governor of the school.

Miss Panton revealed that Jane Heber-Percy's appointment means that women outnumber men on the governing body for the first time in the history of the school. The headteacher also praised her pupils for an excellent set of exam results, which led to more top grades than ever before.

Over the past five years the school has climbed from 124th to 46th place in the league tables for private schools and Miss Panton put the success of the Girls' Division down to high expectations.

She said: "You as parents, and we as staff, expect these young ladies to do well. We expect them to work hard, we expect them to show care and consideration to younger members of the school, and in their community service placements outside school. We expect them to assume responsibility for themselves and others where necessary, and to go on to the next stage in their lives, to achieve success and happiness."

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