A SCHOOL which is switching denominations to survive has lost its headteacher.

Sacred Heart Primary in Blackburn initially faced closure because of possibly losing students to the new Olive Islamic School, which has space for more than 600 pupils.

After Ofsted found a ‘period of continual disruption’ with staffing had seen standards slide at the school, the decision was made by governors to change from a Catholic to an Anglican diocese school.

Now headteacher Humma Ahmed has left the school after six years but governors said a plan was in place to keep standards high.

Ofsted inspectors recently gave a positive report and said the local authority and diocese were working in close partnership to ensure the future of the school is secure.

Governor Nick Kennedy said leaders who would take the reins were familiar with Sacred Heart.

Deputy head Jane Smith is to take over as acting headteacher and Blackburn with Darwen advisory headteacher Liz Beaumont will provide support.

Mrs Beaumont, a former head at Blackburn's Cedars Infant School, is known as a ‘troubleshooter’ head teacher who has overseen schools in difficulty. This includes a former stint at Sacred Heart when it was in special measures in 1999.

Mr Kennedy said she would be supporting the acting head initially. “They are both very familiar with the school and everyone has a lot of confidence in their abilities,” he said.

“Plans for interim leadership of the school after Easter are secure.”