Academy plan for under-fire school

There have been 14 headteachers at Hillcrest Primary, in Chapeltown, Leeds, over the past 20 years.

Previously, educational psychologists had to be drafted in to curb youngsters’ bad behaviour.

During their most recent visit in January, Ofsted inspectors said teaching in Key Stage Two was “inadequate”.

Interim headteacher Alison Chinn, the head of Swinnow Primary School in Leeds, said: “We recognise we are not as successful as we should be and that’s clearly identified by Ofsted inspectors and we need to improve.

“We have systems in place to support weaknesses in teaching and learning and we are engaging with the local authority and other agencies to support us in that process.

“The history of the school has been such that in the last 20 years they have had 14 headteachers. That in itself has had a negative impact on the school’s progress and the governors are keen the academy status will bring the stability of a long-serving headteacher.”