A SCHOOL is building a reputation for itself when it comes to addressing the ever-widening skills gap.

Rivington and Blackrod School is determined that every pupil lays firm foundations for his or her future, whether through the traditional academic route or via vocational learning.

Alongside the core subjects which make up the National Curriculum, the school has been running courses in the building trade at its construction academy.

Now superhead John Baumber - who is the executive principal of the Brooke Learning Partnership which incorporates Ladybridge School and Rivington and Blackrod - has got together with two neighbouring schools to extend the vocational courses available.

With Rivington and Blackrod offering educational routes varying from academic to combining vocational courses with GCSEs, Mr Baumber's dedication has paid off.

The school has become one of only a handful to be given the Investors in People Champion Award for its work with pupils and staff. Only eight other organisations in the country were awarded the accolade this month.

Mr Baumber said: "We are overjoyed to have received this award. Being the best we can is our core strategy.

"We wanted to increase opportunities for our 14 to 19-year-olds in the area. We matched our timetable with other schools in the area to widen the vocational courses on offer.

"We have Ladybridge offering catering, and Westhoughton High School offering hair and beauty courses.

"Because the timetables are matched, the pupils concerned can take part in these courses at the same time."

The vocational courses are aimed at all pupils, but are proving to be particularly popular with those youngsters who are not academically minded.

Mr Baumber said: "There was one pupil who had a difficult background, but through a vocational course he found something he enjoyed, and there was a chance without this we could have lost him.

"Giving childen more opportunities does make a difference to their futures, especially those who might be having difficulties."

Vocational qualifications have been given the thumbs up by pupils at Rivington and Blackrods construction academy.

Sam Taylor, aged 15, who is in Year 11, said: "The facilities at the centre are great and the skills I am learning will help me to move into a job in construction."

Fellow classmate John Holden, aged 15, said: "I am learning bricklaying which I am enjoying. I will be looking to go on to college after school to develop my skills further."

The Investors in People Champion Award also recognises the work of the school as a training ground for teachers to improve their skills.

When the school formed a partnership with Ladybridge High, teachers at Rivington and Blackrod visited the school to give their staff support.

Mr Baumber said: "This addresses the problem of recruitment and retention in schools which is a big problem today."

Training school director Jim Mitchell said: "This accolade recognises our continued commitment to staff development.

"We were awarded the Investors in People Status in 2000 and that has been the basis on which we have built our very successful staff development policy.

"This culminated in Rivington and Blackrod being awarded Training School Status in 2003. We believe passionately that supporting the development of our staff improves the standard of teaching and learning for our pupils.

"As a Champion, we look forward to sharing our experiences and demonstrating how putting staff at the heart of an organisation is the key to its success."