HOLY TRINITY is among the biggest primary schools in the Blackburn with Darwen borough.
And it's certainly had some big problems to contend with in the past couple of years.
But now, new head teacher Mark Standen is looking forward confidently.
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"It's been a very turbulent time for Holy Trinity," he admitted.
"But all that is behind us. We are regaining the confidence of the school within the community and, at the same time, confidence within the school."
"All that" revolved around the suspension and sacking of the head teacher who had got the job in rather controversial circumstances not much over a year earlier.
Kathleen Tyson was dismissed by the governors for gross misconduct after allegations that she allowed a man she had met, a man who was on the sex-offenders register, to do some work on the school's web site.
Controversial appointment? Well, it's no secret that deputy head Mike Leighton, a teacher at Trinity for more than 30 years, was reckoned to be odds-on for the top job.
It was thought to be a formality. He had filled in several times as acting head and was well thought of by council education chiefs.
However, the decision was the governors' and they went for an "unknown" in Mrs Tyson.
A petition by staff and parents against the appointment didn't augur well for the future.
Mike Leighton rolled up 35 years of memories, packed his bags, and moved on, retiring early a few months later after a spell as acting head of a primary school in Blackburn.
The sudden deaths of a former teacher and a former headmaster followed and took the school to an even lower ebb.
Last week, 12 months after Mrs Tyson's initial suspension, and after a spell as deputy, Mark Standen, 45, took over the reins as head teacher and set about reshaping the school and restoring its confidence.
He had previously worked in educational administration for the borough and was heavily involved with Moorland High School and its feeder primary schools.
"The kids here really are fantastic," he says.
"And there is a great depth of knowledge among the staff.
"I'm sure we can all look ahead to a period of stability.
"I'm really excited about the future."
Mr Standen says links with St Peter's Church are being strengthened and now he wants to encourage more parent involvement in the school.
He is also introducing a "more creative" curriculum.
"Children need to learn critical skills - communication, negotiation, team building and so on.
"They need to know how to apply knowledge and not just soak it up."
Mark is determined to make the school's curriculum exciting and accessible as well as the more usual lessons.
Backed by the support of the local authority and the diocese and the enthusiasm of the school's 360 pupils and their parents, he is more than confident that Holy Trinity has shaken off its problems and is going into the new year in good shape.
Posted by: Grandma, Darwen on 5:57pm Thu 10 Jan 08
I thought the thrust of the column was that things were going to get better. Give Standen a chance. Fewer pupils? Most local schools have that problem.
I thought the thrust of the column was that things were going to get better. Give Standen a chance. Fewer pupils? Most local schools have that problem.
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