BLACKBURN pupils are being allowed to speak Gujarati and Punjabi in class to bring standards up to scratch.

In the initiative, the first of its kind in Lancashire, children at Audley Junior School speak their mother tongue during lessons to ensure they fully understand what is being taught.

Headteacher Adrian Woods believes it may help its 96 per cent ethnic minority population to reach national English standards for the first time.

The new teaching method at the Queens Park Road school means teachers will allow youngsters to talk among themselves for brief periods to assist in explaining complicated ideas. Previously, English has been spoken throughout lessons.

"This idea is cutting edge. Raising achievement goes hand-in-hand with improving language skill levels," said Mr Woods, who first arrived at Audley for two terms as an associate head in 1999 when it was put into special measures by Ofsted.

"If we want to improve standards we have to look at other ways of improving English.

"Children at the moment are taught to speak in English all the time. We are saying there is a place for their mother tongue."

The initiative has already been welcomed by teaching unions and local councillors.

"We are trying to give children a chance to understand things in their own language first by briefly talking among themselves in their native tongue, then carrying on in English to make sure they understand things fully," added Mr Woods.

English standards at the school have remained below average for the past three years - with 61, 56, and 64 per cent of pupils reaching expected levels in 2001, 2002 and 2003 respectively.

Councillor for Queens Park, Salim Mulla, said the initiative sent a message to the community to accept all languages.

He said: "It is a disadvantage for children without English as their first language to be compared directly with their white peers. Anything which could improve academic results is welcomed."

The school's chairman of governors, Ibrahim Soolat, staved off criticism that English should be prioritised in England, adding: "We don't all speak one language and communities should be tolerant.

"This is about enhancing capacity to learn and bringing out ability."

Lesley Ham, negotiating secretary for the National Association of Schoolmasters Union and Women Teachers, backed the scheme and added: "Colleagues teaching in Blackburn with Darwen schools have a long history of using a variety of strategies to encourage the development of the English language.

"Any strategy which benefits teaching and learning is, of course, welcome."