School head quits as new team goes in

THE head of a Huddersfield high school has quit - with the school in special measures.

Alan Gaunt, headteacher at Rawthorpe High School, has resigned to take up a new post with Kirklees Council's education service.

Now education officials have moved to install a new management team at the school. They have pledged to help revive it from its current problems.

Rawthorpe has about 450 students and was placed in special measures in the last few weeks by Ofsted, the Government's inspection team, after concerns about standards.

Sue Lord, a spokesman for the council's education service, confirmed Mr Gaunt's resignation.

She said: "As from January 1, 2005 Mrs Lynn Copley, currently deputy headteacher at Colne Valley High School, will be acting headteacher.

"She will have the benefit of the expertise and experience of Linda Wright, currently headteacher of Colne Valley High School, as executive headteacher.

"The governors of Rawthorpe High School have the responsibility for appointing a new headteacher and they will be considering this in the new year."

Mrs Wright's role as executive head is not new.

There is a similar situation at Fartown High School, which has also had problems in the past.

Rawthorpe school is run by the governors but now it has been placed in special measures, the council can step in.

Officials are assembling a plan to bring the school out of special measures as soon as possible.