THE NEW headteacher at All Hallows RC has vowed to bring the blighted high school out of special measures by next summer following the publication of a damning inspection report that highlights problems with leadership and bullying.
Paul Heitzman said he was confident he could turn fortunes around at the school despite Ofsted branding its overall effectiveness as "inadequate" - the lowest inspection grade.
He said: "Ofsted inspectors will visit All Hallows again at the end of the spring and summer terms to monitor progress. By summer I am aiming to be out of special measures and I am very confident we will achieve this."
Critical of leadership and management also rated as "inadequate" at All Hallows, Ofsted said their findings differ from the school's evaluation of its performance in all aspects of provision.
The report states: "Across management there has been a lack of a shared understanding of the key priorities which will need to be developed to move the school forward.
"The [previous] headteacher has not evaluated well enough the school's greatest needs. The governing body is supportive but has not been sufficiently active as a critical friend to monitor developments and effect change.
"Issues linked to behaviour, bullying and underachievement at higher grades have not been challenged with sufficient rigour."
Incidents of bullying and the effectiveness of the school's response also concerned Ofsted but Mr Heitzman assured parents their anti-bullying policy will be reviewed and that "bullying is not something that will be tolerated at All Hallows".
The report said All Hallows considered itself to be providing a good education for all pupils but again inspectors disagreed.
They said: "Standards of pupils on entry to the school are considerably above average but are only average in relation to their abilities when they leave school."
But Mr Heitzman, who said he was drafted into All Hallows because of his previous experience with schools in special measures, said he welcomed the opportunity to address the leadership and management issues highlighted.
"All Hallows is not typical of a Special Measures school. I know there are issues at the school that need to be tackled but they are well underway.
"There are many positives to build on - a new leadership group is in place, all very committed and hard working. The sixth form here is very strong and one of the strongest in Cheshire. The £4million building scheme is finishing in June and All Hallows is in the process of formulating a bid to become a specialist maths and computing school.
"Ofsted made the judgements they have made. A lot of people were surprised but we are seeing it as a positive thing, and a period for us to review what's happening in All Hallows. We feel the improvements have already begun.
"Pupils were also surprised at the outcome, the vast majority have a positive experience at school, but we are working together as a school community to move forward."
He added that as well as consulting with parents and students, they are holding lots of staff and governor meetings and setting up a school student council.
"We held two very well attended parents meetings last week. As the new headteacher I invited parents to discuss the report. It was a chance for me to introduce myself to parents and update them on progress.
"Discussion groups then started talking about focusing on ways to improve the school and move forward. We have very loyal and supportive parents.
"The key thing to come out of the report, as well as improved communication, is we now have a really good agenda for improvements."
GCSE and A Level exam results were noted as well above national average and the sixth form was "satisfactory" in its effectiveness and leadership and management.
