BOLTON people must examine their consciences and follow high moral values if children are to succeed, a local headteacher told Bolton's top police chief.

Smithills School headmaster, Mr Mike Kehoe, slammed the "no blame, no shame" society during the school's prize-giving ceremony.

Chief Supt John Bartlett, head of Bolton's police, was guest at the presentation and heard Mr Kehoe call for change.

The head welcomed a new report by the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority, which called for pupils to be "good citizens".

Mr Kehoe told guests that schools needed the support of a moral society.

He said: "Too often the moral code we seek to promote in schools, the values of truthfulness, honesty and respect, are not mirrored by all that takes place outside schools."

He welcomed moves by religious leaders and some politicians to stop the "sad and deplorable" events in society.

Mr Kehoe also mentioned the school's "costly" aim to bring today's youngsters into the Millennium.

He said that the cost of providing facilities to make youngsters leaders in technology was difficult - especially as school's often face unprecedented cuts.

He added:"If children in our schools do not receive the education to which they are entitled, then not only will they suffer in their present and future lives, but the whole nation and all its residents will be poorer.

"All of us are dependent on young people entering the world of work as literate, numerate and technically minded individuals."

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