A MOTHER has called for the head of a troubled high school to resign – as council chiefs prepare to send in troubleshooters.

Colne Valley Specialist Arts College was put into ‘special measures’ this month.

The Linthwaite school – the largest in the district with more than 1,400 students – was subject to a highly-critical Ofsted report.

Independent inspectors said students were often bored and failed to achieve their full potential; teaching, particularly in maths, was inadequate and the school lacked direction and leadership.

As Kirklees Council confirmed it was set to seek permission from Education Secretary Michael Gove to replace the governors with an Interim Executive Board (IEM), one parent called on head teacher Carol Gormley to stand down.

Mum-of-two Fiona Weir, in her seventh year as a parent at the school, said Ms Gormley has to go.

“When Ms Gormley came in five years ago the school had issues with bullying and violent behaviour and she came in with a zero tolerance policy,” said Mrs Weir.

“She was on the front page of the Examiner at the time talking about zero tolerance and no excuses.

“When Carol Gormley arrived there were serious issues and in fairness she tackled those and I wrote and told her what an improvement it was.

“However, in my view, she is a one-trick pony. She focused too much on behaviour and discipline and not achievement, attainment and other aspects that creates a school which meets children’s needs.”

Mrs Weir, of Marsden, who still has a son at the school, said Ms Gormley should quit and added: “She set that culture of no excuses for the children if they fail so there should be no excuses for her failure.

“I think she needs to go and allow a fresh culture into the school.

“Zero tolerance does not work with teenagers, they need a lot of tolerance. The school needs to be fair not heavy-handed.

“When you have a head who does not seek opinions or seek advice this is what happens.”

Mrs Weir said she was happy to go public with her views and added: “I am not saying anything here that I did not tell Carol Gormley two years ago, and which has been proved right.”

Mrs Weir said parents had only received one letter since the school’s collapse into special measures was officially confirmed.

“My interpretation of that letter from the head teacher was that Ofsted had been a bit hard on us and we have everything in hand already.

“I want the school to put their hands up and realise they were wrong.”

Kirklees Council, which has already sent educational specialists into classrooms, said the Interim Executive Board was “very much our favoured option”.

A spokesman said talks had been held with governors over different options to “make the urgent improvements that are needed”.

He added: “Installing an IEB at a school in special measures is well established nationally as an effective way of ensuring standards are improved.

“The council is keen to establish an IEB as soon as possible at Colne Valley and the current governors have been invited to give us their views.

“It is a legal requirement that the current governors are given time to comment on our proposal.

“The consultation period ends in early March, following which approval from the Secretary of State for an IEB to be established would be required.

“Experience shows that an IEB can be a real catalyst in securing rapid improvements and achieving the best outcomes for students.

“Colne Valley does have qualities on which to build. This was highlighted in the recent Ofsted report but our priority is to address its weaknesses as a matter of urgency.”

Mrs Weir said she understood at least one of the governors had resigned but Kirklees could not confirm that due to staff being on leave in half-term.

The Examiner asked the council to contact Ms Gormley for a response but she was unavailable.