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Bosses axed at failing school
GOVERNORS at a Sheffield secondary have been axed after inspectors found the school was failing its pupils.
The city council has used new legal powers to take over control of Handsworth Grange School - the first time such action has been taken in the secondary sector.
An interim five-strong governing board has been appointed to oversee improvements at the school after the chair of governors resigned and her colleagues agreed to step down.
The inspection team had rated the performance of the governors to be inadequate.
They found they had obstructed developments at Handsworth Grange rather than enhanced them and added the body had not held the school properly to account or ensured its effectiveness.
Inspectors also pointed to a great deal of turbulence in staffing at the school as a reason for its problems.
Previous headteacher Steve Burnage and his business manager were suspended in the summer of 2007, sparking an investigation into the school's finances.
Mr Burnage subsequently resigned and acting head Anna Quaile, previously his deputy, was only confirmed as his full time replacement in April this year.
Inspectors praised the good work Ms Quaile had done since her appointment to raise staff morale, provide clear direction and identify weaknesses.
But many of the actions she had taken were still too recent to be demonstrating the necessary impact and the quality of teaching and levels of achievement by the students were inadequate.
Successful Tapton headteacher David Bowes has been brought in by the authority to give the school support while it is in special measures.
"Standards are too low and leadership and management, including governance, must be effective, which has not previously been the case," he said.
"We need to improve the quality of teaching, track the students' progress and set them effective targets," Mr Bowes added.
Ms Quaile said there had been a number of key appointments this term and she intended to work closely with parents to help under-achieving pupils.
"Inspectors felt our lessons were too dull so we are addressing that. Staff upheavals have been a factor - since 2005 we have had 67 new members of staff out of 130, largely due to retirements. Morale was affected by the suspensions but it is positive now."
The interim governing board is expected to be in place for up to 18 months.
A new governing body will be set up and will be shadowed by the board until it is ready to take over.
Cabinet member for children's services Coun Andrew Sangar said he had asked council officers and the headteacher to make sure there was swift and decisive action.
"I have every confidence in Anne Quaile the headteacher, and believe she is the right person to take the school forward and bring about the necessary improvements in teaching and learning," he said.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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