A SCHOOL set to close later this week is celebrating going out on a high note.

Beardwood Humanities College has just gained recognition as one of the top 10 per cent of high achieving schools in the country.

The Preston New Road school was presented with a certificate from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) for its A*-C grade GCSE results last year.

Headteacher Ruby Hussain said: “It’s a real accolade for a school which is closing.

“It’s a massive achievement for the school. We are ecstatic.

“We believe in ourselves, our staff and our pupils, but it’s great to get this recognition at such a difficult time.

“You have to ask the question if the leaders made the right decision on the back of last year’s results to close the school.

“Within a lot of closing schools the standards deteriorate, but we have not let standards slip.

“We will manage the school right to the end.

“There’s still a real buzz and people still have smiles on their faces.”

The report by the Trust said that the school was in the top 10 per cent of schools in England for added value at GCSE level.

Sue Williamson, chief executive of SSAT, said: “Beardwood High School should be congratulated for their stunning performance in adding value to their students’ achievements.

“Beardwood High School is one of the best schools in the country at outperforming expectations for their pupils and improving their future prospects.

“There is plenty that other schools could learn from Beardwood High School’s success.

“These results are testament to the commitment and hard work of the students, teachers and leadership team at Beardwood High School.

“And a vindication of their belief in high expectations, good teaching and ambition for every young person.” The school will close at the end of this term and the building will be remodelled ahead of Tauheedul Islam Girls High School moving to the site.

The majority of Beardwood pupils will move to the new Blackburn Central High School which is being built in Haslingden Road, Blackburn.