New man at the helm for school (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

New man at the helm for school

Ref. 25226-01THE MAN drafted in to turn around a failing Swindon school has told staff to relax and take stock, following a damning Ofsted inspection.

Stuart Smith, formerly head of Wanborough Primary School, is busy getting to know staff and pupils at Seven Fields Primary, following the shock resignation of Andrew Nye.

As revealed by the Evening Advertiser, Mr Nye, who was headteacher of the Penhill school for 21 years, quit amid speculation that it is set to be placed in special measures.

Now Mr Smith, who earlier this year was named as one of the country's top 200 teachers, is determined to get the school back on its feet.

But first he said both staff and the 305 pupils need a breather.

"I have been told that I will be here until at least January 2005," said the new acting headteacher.

"My job is to write an effective action plan and help to appoint another headteacher.

"I will be drawing up my plan over the Easter break.

"In the meantime I have told staff and pupils to have fun and take a break following the inspection."

Mr Smith, a school inspector himself, said he is only too aware of the pressure facing schools during an inspection.

And he refused to lay blame for the bad inspection on Mr Nye.

He said: "Over the years I have carried out more than 40 inspections.

"I have also been the headteacher of a school during an inspection so I have seen it from both sides.

"Mr Nye has played an instrumental role in the education-business partnership and was one of the leading lights in improving the Local Education Authority."

Mr Smith stressed some positives could be made from the inspection. But he declined to comment on the specific points in the report until it is made public later next month.

"The inspectors had no problem with the pupils' behaviour.

"It is clear that Mr Nye has created an excellent pastoral care system at this school.

"Learning outcomes will be our main target, and I will be working closely with staff and pupils to make sure we achieve.

"All the staff have the capacity to be good teachers."

The experienced headteacher has a proven track record for turning the tides of a failing school.

In 1999 he breathed fresh life into Mountford Manor Primary in Walcot, which had serious weaknesses.

Garry Perkins, lead member for education, said Mr Smith was specifically chosen for the job.

"Mountford Manor had major problems and he worked with the staff to successfully transform it," he said. "It's great that we've been able to bring someone in with such experience without having to look beyond the borough.

"Stuart is looking forward to the challenges that await him."

Kevin Shoesmith