Principal No 4 leaves struggling academy by mutual consent

Principal Colette Macklin left by mutual consent.

COLETTE Macklin has become the fourth principal to leave the struggling Waterhead Academy.

In a letter to staff, Alun Francis, principal of Oldham College which sponsors the academy, confirms that Mrs Macklin has left by “mutual consent”.

It follows the recent appointment of executive principal James Haseldine who has been parachuted in to help turn the school around.

Mrs Macklin joined Waterhead — which replaced Breeze Hill and Counthill schools in 2010 — just over a year ago.

Shortly after, it was told that it was failing by Ofsted inspectors and placed in special measurers.

Provisional GCSE results released by the Department for Education last month showed that only 29 per cent of pupils achieved five A* to C grades this summer, down from 45 per cent in 2013.

Concerns

An executive principal usually works across more than one school, supporting their principals. Mr Haseldine will work exclusively with Waterhead until Mrs Macklin’s replacement is appointed.

In his letter, Mr Francis adds: “We recognise there will be concerns about another change in leadership at the academy. Unfortunately, this does happen when schools are struggling to perform at a high level.

“We do believe, through the arrangements we have put in place, we have brought the best support and leadership we can to Waterhead Academy.”

In a statement released by Oldham College, Mrs Macklin said: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to lead Waterhead Academy during a year of challenge and change.”