Counthill bows out on a high

AN Oldham school which closes this summer is bowing out in a blaze of glory.

Counthill School has shrugged off its troubled past, and made a complete turnaround just months before it merges with Breeze Hill School to create an academy.

This opens in the existing buildings in September before moving into a new premises in Waterhead in 2012.

Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said the closure was decided three years ago as part of a £266 million plan to overhaul Oldham’s secondary schools.

She said parts could not be changed without withdrawing the whole scheme and starting again, which would jeopardise funding.

Counthill’s success was the result of a drastic step to appoint an interim executive governing body, she added.

The school received a glowing report from education inspectors, a year after it was ordered to improve. When Ofsted visited in January last year, it said standards were too low and achievement was inadequate in years 7, 8 and 9. Inspectors said it did not provide value for money and the school was told it must significantly improve.

But under the leadership of trouble-shooter David Lack, appointed in September, 2008, the Moorside secondary has since been named as one of the country’s fastest improving schools.

In this year’s inspection it was praised for a significant and rapid rise in standards, and providing a good education and outstanding care, guidance and support for its students.

Ofsted inspectors praised Mr Lack and his staff, citing him as an outstanding head teacher, with senior school leaders recognised as working very hard to make swift changes.

The inspection found improved standards, with students making good progress and some outstanding lessons. The school has more vocational courses, giving students a better opportunity to achieve, and there are good extracurricular sports opportunities.

Students felt safe and there was little bullying. Care and support for students with special educational needs and disabilities was also said to be outstanding.

Inspectors said the school must do more to improve attendance by a small minority of students, and to improve a minority of lessons by ensuring classroom work and activities met the needs of all students. They noted a marked improvement in the proportion of students who gained five or more A* to C grade GCSEs, and those gaining the same grades including English and maths — although the numbers are still below average.

The quality of teaching and learning has improved, with the help of coaching programmes for teachers, and teaching is good overall, with some examples of outstanding practice.

A delighted Mr Lack said: “A lot of hard work from staff, students and parents has moved the school effectively from special measures to a good school with some outstanding features.

“Everyone should be proud of what they have achieved.”