Outstanding ambition

TAKING charge . . . Dr Mujahid Ali is determined to make a difference

THE new principal of Werneth Primary School has vowed it will be “good or outstanding” in 12 months.

Mujahid Ali (43) - believed to be Oldham’s first Muslim head teacher - took up his post after half-term.

He said he would draw on his own negative experience as a pupil to turn things around and bring stability to the 550-pupil primary, which has had six head teachers in two years.

The school was judged in need of improvement by education watchdog Ofsted in 2012, prior to becoming an academy in 2014 - part of the Bright Tribe Trust, which runs seven schools in England.

Dr Ali said: “My school experience was difficult. I struggled with the language and the lessons weren’t very exciting. I won’t allow that to happen to the children here. I am determined to make lessons here fun and exciting for the children.

“In 12 months this will be a very different school: it will be good, if not outstanding.

“Only the very best staff will be recruited, trained and inducted and we will make massive improvements. We have very high expectations.”

Dr Ali’s parents came to Britain from Pakistan and he was born and grew up in Huddersfield, where he still lives. Married with three children, he did a psychology degree and a masters before training as a teacher.

As a primary school head teacher he has experience of transforming struggling schools and was shortlisted as head teacher of the year at the Times Educational Supplement Schools Awards in 2014.

Challenges He has also worked as a school improvement adviser, an educational psychologist and as an Ofsted inspector.

Dr Ali said that standards were low at Werneth and pupils’ progress was inconsistent: “There will be challenges but it’s about giving people direction, inspiration, leadership and support.

Dr Ali, who also has a doctorate in special educational needs, believes that his own background can be an inspiration to pupils, most of whom are from Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds.

“I speak English as a second language, I relate to the children, the community and the parents and I also live in an extended family,” he added.

“I am the first Muslim head teacher in Oldham. That makes me proud because I feel I am a real role model to the children.”