Not good enough - must try harder

Counthill School, due to close.

Inspectors slam standards as ‘not value for money’

TROUBLED Counthill School has been given an official notice to improve by education inspectors.

It has been told that standards are too low and achievement is inadequate in years 7, 8 and 9.

It does not provide value for money and must significantly improve pupils’ achievements, standards and education.

However, the education watchdog Ofsted found improvement in years 10 and 11 and praised trouble-shooter head teacher David Lack for his strong and incisive leadership.

Inspectors said he had given the Counthill a rejuvenated sense of purpose, and that he was bringing in important changes with the “full support of staff”.

Mr Lack, who has a history of turning around schools, would not comment on the report.

But Veronica Jackson, Oldham Council’s executive director for people, communities and society, said: “Inspectors found that year 11 is making good progress, and is now much closer to the national average than pervious years, and with a new head teacher and senior management team, the school is now well placed to meet the challenges head-on.

“A detailed action plan has been drawn up so that areas that need developing, can be tackled as soon as possible. This will be shared with parents and the community at a meeting in the near future.”

Counthill has been plagued with problems and was placed in special members in November 2004.

‘Super-head’ Margaret Ryan was appointed in 2005, and a year later it was judged satisfactory.

She left suddenly just a few days into the current school year and was replaced by Mr Lack. Then in November the governing body was sacked and replaced with an interim executive board to tackle falling results.

Unions claim there is a culture of fear at Counthill amid redundancies and suspensions.

Next year it will be merged with Breeze Hill in a new academy under £230 million plans to transform its secondary schools.

The inspectors said Counthill had not sustained the progress it made when it was removed from special measurers.

Only 23 per cent of pupils gained five GCSE A* to C GCSE grades last year, including English and maths, and attendance is inadequate.

However there are signs of improvement and the inspectors added: “The school is a friendly community where pupils say they feel safe and there are few reported racial incidents or incidents of bullying.”

Counthill will receive a monitoring visit later this year.