Published: Friday, 11th July, 2008 09:00
Head to the rescue of troubled school
By Annabel Williams
Comments (0)
Print Article
A FAILING west Reading school is to get help from the headteacher of a Caversham primary.
From September, Sarah Parish will spend a year in charge of Battle Primary School to help raise standards after Ofsted put it on special measures in January.
Mrs Parish will be seconded from Caversham Park Primary School, where governors have appointed deputy head Gail Ray as acting headteacher while Mrs Parish is away.
Battle’s headteacher, Alex Long, decided to step down in May, leaving an acting head in charge.
At its last Ofsted inspection in July last year, Caversham Park Primary School was judged to be a good school, and Mrs Parish said: “I am looking forward to working with governors, staff, parents and children at Battle and am confident that the partnership will be of benefit to both schools.”
Tim Collieu, Battle’s chairman of governors, said: 'We are delighted to have seconded someone of the calibre and proven leadership that Sarah will bring.
“The governors are looking forward to working with her and building on the progress that has been already made since the inspection. We will be seeking a permanent headteacher during the course of the year.”
Bob Green, Caversham Park’s chairman of governors, said: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with our colleagues at Battle Primary School.
“We have every confidence that Sarah will do an excellent job at Battle and that Gail will lead the school here from strength to strength over the coming year.”
Reading Borough Council’s education leader, Cllr Jon Hartley, said: 'This is another example of Reading schools working together to improve.
“There are many successful partnerships in Reading, such as the federation between Kendrick and Reading Girls’ School and the support that turned round Whitley Park Junior in record time, and with the council’s support, I’m sure Sarah Parish will be able to make rapid progress at Battle.”
Further Details
Gaza protest in town centre