Highlees Primary School

Highlees Primary School is a larger than average primary school in the highest quintile for social deprivation. It has an ‘ever changing’ population (mobility much higher than in most schools), the proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is well above average and most of these pupils are new arrivals to the United Kingdom.

In 2011 I was approached by the Local Authority to work alongside a lead Headteacher following a period of instability in the leadership of the school. Although the school held a Satisfactory Ofsted judgement, a number of indicators highlighted the schools vulnerabilities; an Interim Executive Board had replaced the Governing body, pupil numbers were falling, achievement shaky, relationships with stakeholders, namely parents was extremely fragile as they believed Highlees was failing its pupils and retention of staff difficult. That year, twelve new members of staff joined the school, five of which were newly qualified teachers. The school was in a very vulnerable position.