A headteacher tasked with turning round a failing Fulwood school has brought in his right-hand man from his previous school.

Andy Haughey has been made vice-principal for behaviour and attendance at Fulwood Academy.

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The school was moved back into special measures by Ofsted following publication of an inspection made in February this year.

It is rated inadequate in every area.

Principal Philip Grant has brought in Haughey from the One In a Million free school in Bradford where they moved it from being an inadequate school to being rated as good by Ofsted.

And there’s a new role for Lee Waring who was interim principal from September 2018 to February 2019. He becomes vice principal for teaching and learning.

Mr Grant said of the two appointments: “In Mr Waring and Mr Haughey we have two very dedicated teaching professionals whose absolute passion is to see young people achieve their potential. I’m privileged to work alongside them and I’m extremely confident they’ll have a real impact in helping Fulwood Academy succeed.”

Haughey has worked in education for 20 years and specialises in helping to turn round under-performing schools.

He said: “I joined Fulwood because I knew the potential it had but also the challenges it faces. I wanted to come here and work with Philip again because of the impact he would have and is having. He has all the pupils’ best intentions at heart and everything he and the rest of the team are doing is to prepare these young people to be good citizens.

“In joining Fulwood I also turned down a headship as I wanted to work in a place where I can help make a difference and encourage students to be the best. Ultimately I want the blazer they wear to be a badge of pride.”

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Mr Waring takes on his new role, and was mentioned in the Ofsted report for improving morale at the Academy during his brief stint at the helm.

The Ofsted report said: “His genuine commitment to the task and desire to do his best for the pupils raised the morale of the school community. However, the weaknesses in all areas of the school by this time required far more than these qualities to bring about the much-needed improvements.”

Mr Waring said: “Fulwood Academy is very much a huge part of my life. Over the 15 years that I’ve worked here, I have seen a lot of change and what we need is consistency for the pupils. Working with my colleagues I know we can achieve a great deal as education is an absolute passion of mine.

“I’ve come from an under privileged background and using that experience, I want our pupils to strive for the best and that can only happen if we are the best too. As an Academy we are going back to basics and the changes we have already made are the improvement in the quality of education and curriculum. We know what works and we’ve been given that mandate to implement an evidence-based approach of teaching that is successful.

“It’s my passion that all children, regardless of background, are able to have a great education. We know we have challenges ahead of us but over time Fulwood Academy will be a beacon of best practice in providing a sound education.”

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