THE headteacher of a Nelson school told pupils, parents and staff that his first full year in the job had been one of ups and downs.

Geoff Walker told Walton High School's prize evening that pupils' academic achievements continued to make the school proud, but financial constraints had stopped the school employing more support staff to ease teachers' workloads.

Despite the school's money problems, however, Mr Walker told last night's prize-giving ceremony that it was ploughing ahead with plans to transform the school into a specialist technology college.

He said: "After my first full year I can report without any fear of contradiction that Walton is in a very healthy state. Our reputation remains very high in the community and numbers of students wishing to come here are growing."

However, parents also heard that financial pressures were putting drains on school resources. He said: "The financial situation has been very difficult to manage and in real terms the budget has decreased.

"This obviously wasn't supposed to happen -- the mantra of education, education, education became cutback, prune and reduce. The amount of money available for all key resources, equipment, maintenance and training of staff has been diminished.

"We have made some important changes to buildings and are mindful that we have very old facilities. Brand-new science labs and learning support facilities have been added during the year and the new sports hall is still very much in our plans -- but planning delays and other frustrations have slowed this project down."

Mr Walker also welcomed the planned overhaul of education in Nelson, adding: "In a short while we could be celebrating our successes in a very different environment."