A FRESH leader has been drafted in to help a secondary school on its journey to providing higher standards amid a turbulence in leadership.

Theale Green School will welcome its third head teacher in as many years following the recent appointment of Joanne Halliday.

The school is hoping to accelerate progress by becoming part of the Activate Learning Education Trust.

Ms Halliday, who is currently in charge at King Alfred's Academy in Wantage and she is expected to start her new role at Theale in time for the start of the next academic year.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Theale Green School and Activate Learning. There are clearly exciting times ahead for the school.

“I have been wholly impressed by their absolute determination to work together to ensure that the student outcomes at Theale Green reflect the passion and loyalty they feel towards our school.

Reading Chronicle:

“Theale Green is a vibrant school with an incredible sense of community and I feel exceptionally privileged to be joining.

“I have lived in West Berkshire for 25 years, and following ten years working in industry, moved into education with a young family of my own.

Having worked in Oxfordshire for 17 years, including four years as a head teacher of a large Oxfordshire school, Ms Halliday arrives with a wealth of experience.

Theale received a 'requires improvement' rating from Ofsted in May, while the Sixth Form programme was found to be a strength of the school.

The school was plunged into special measures following a previous visit from Ofsted and Dr Beeson arrived in 2015.

She was replaced by interim head Julie Turner in time for the start of the 2017/18 academic year.

The school received a 100 per cent pass rate in the most recent set of A-Level results and has recently become part of a multi academy trust.

Dr John Gate, chair of governors, added: “Jo is a very experienced head teacher with a superb track record.

“I am confident that she will build on the tremendous hard work which has been happening this academic year under the excellent leadership of our interim head.”