A strategy to recruit nationally rated school leaders with proven track records is being prepared by the Lib Dems to help bring exam and test pass rates in city schools up to national standards.

The plans would see suitable candidates being headhunted by recruitment specialists and placed in a pool, ready to be shortlisted for vacancies when they come up.

Since taking control of the Town Hall in May, council leader Paul Scriven has emphasised the role of inspirational leadership in creating successful schools.

Any move to bring in super heads would have to be agreed with individual school governing bodies, which are currently solely responsible for staff recruitment.

The Lib Dems believe the primary sector is in particular need of new blood - but suitable candidates will need to be paid high salaries.

Coun Andrew Sangar, cabinet member for children's services, said substantial investment would be needed to make the plan work.

"This is about putting our money where our mouth is," said Coun Sangar.

"This will cost the council money, but school leadership is important and we think this is an investment well worth making.

"It will be an ongoing investment for two or three years - having a pool and using it vigorously to ensure as many of our primary schools get the leadership they need."

The Lib Dems have already warned that standards must rise after the 2007 primary test results left Sheffield rated 147th out of 150 local authorities - although the city's rating is expected to substantially improve this year.

But councillors feel the performances of city pupils are at least five per cent behind what they should be.

They believe heads who are not up to the job will be expected to make way for others.

"It's primary schools where the challenge on heads is at its greatest. Secondaries have management teams and if you're not up to the job, the system finds you out," said Coun Sangar.

"At primary level we have too many schools in Ofsted measures and too many schools below Government targets. We need to sort out these problems.

"There will be some situations where the headteacher will be replaced, there will be others where it will be about putting in extra resources to work alongside existing staff. It's about looking at each school on its merits."

A report on tackling school underachievement will go before the council cabinet next month and will also stress the role to be played by good parenting and partnerships with universities and industry.

"For too many years it has been education performance that has been holding this city back," said Coun Sangar.

"You only get one chance at childhood and we've got to get it right.

Getting children up to standard is not something that's going to take ten years.

"We want to do it in four or five years and that means we've got to take action now," he said.

Other measures being proposed include setting up a leadership academy, with specialist courses and extra support for potential headteachers.

The Lib Dems also want to establish formal partnerships between under-achieving schools and those that have proven strengths in specific areas.

Coun Sangar admitted there was no quick fix - but said action was essential.

"We have to change Sheffield. The jobs we have now aren't the jobs we had 30 years ago.

"They require people to take on new skills and new training and we need to raise the bar so we can compete with other cities across Britain and across Europe. This is the bit we can do something about," he added.



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