Taking charge

Oldham Academy North principal Martin Knowles

INTERIM chief Martin Knowles has been formally appointed principal of Oldham Academy North.

Mr Knowles has been acting principal for four months following his predecessor Colette Burgess’s move to run Waterhead Academy.

Mr Knowles helped to open OAN, which replaced Grange School in September 2010 and moved to a new £16.8 million building in Broadway, Royton, in April 2013.

The school was downgraded from good to “requires improvement” after an Ofsted snap inspection in May.

But inspectors reported this month the school is taking effective action to turn things round under Mr Knowles’s leadership.

“We are making good progress across all fronts, from teaching quality and pupil progress through to the curriculum and behaviour, and I look forward to accelerating that trend over the coming year,” said Mr Knowles.

“The academy has the potential to be a truly excellent school and I am committed to working with my team to make that goal a reality.”

Originally from Warrington, Mr Knowles lives in Ramsbottom and has taught in Bootle, Ordsall and at Failsworth School before joining Oldham Academy North.