Simon Rushton and John Collinge, successful Burnley Grammar School boys.

The new headmaster of Burnley Grammar School, Mr Keith Panter, does not envision any major changes within the school as a result of his appointment. And this extends to continuing his predecessor's criticism of comprehensive education, if the need arises. He took over the post on January 1st on the retirement of Mr Noel Stokes. Mr Panter had been deputy headmaster for the previous eight years. "As far as Burnley Grammar School is concerned, my aims will be similar to those of Mr Stokes, and I hope to maintain the records and standards that the school has always achieved, and that were maintained particularly under Mr Stokes," he said.

Filling the vacuum left by Mr Stokes could be a difficult task, but one which Mr Panter is confident of achieving, and he feels able to meet the challenge of maintaining the school's standards. "Having been its deputy head for eight years has its advantages, although in some ways it may be difficult, perhaps, to assume a different role in the same school. But obviously knowing the boys and the staff gives me certain advantages." He added, "A school is a society, and societies change. Burnley Grammar School has always been adaptable to change, but I have no plans for any radical changes or aims".

Mr Panter shares his predecessor's views on the role of the school in providing an all-round education by giving the boys full scope for their various talents, academic and otherwise. "A school also needs to care and to have a great deal of concern for each individual. That is why the tutorial, or pastoral care system, has a part to play. Teachers now have a wide range of responsibilities and are not there just to impart knowledge or information."

Mr Panter has equally firm beliefs on a less pleasant subject, corporal punishment. He supports the use of corporal punishment, but only as a last resort, and in exceptional circumstances. "Education and society generally face problems of obstructive and destructive behaviour, not that this school has them to any degree, and I personally wouldn't want to see the use of corporal punishment abolished in any school with which I was associated."

The first academic successes announced since Mr Panter took over as headmaster were the gaining of places at Oxford and Cambridge universities. Two sixth form students, both studying for science A-levels, have won places. 17-year-old Simon Rushton, of Southern Avenue, Burnley, will be following in his elder brother's footsteps to Oxford. He plans to read biology at St Catherine's College, Oxford. His brother John, a former grammar school pupil, is reading history at Oxford's Merton College.

The second successful candidate of the eight who sat the entrance examination was John Collinge, aged 17, of Wesley Grove, Burnley. He has been accepted for St John's College, Cambridge, but has not yet decided which subject he will read.