THE best headteachers are those who make a difference to a school.

That doesn’t merely mean they are able to keep an already successful school firmly on the same path.

Actually improving the performance of pupils and staff at a place that is struggling and changing its public image at the same time is a much more difficult job.

And that’s why Richard Varey of Blessed Trinity RC College, Burnley, has been named the first Secondary Headteacher of the Year in the Lancashire Telegraph Schools Awards.

Mr Varey took over the then Ormerod Road school in 2012, months after it was put into special measures after being found to be ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted. Less than a year later, in February last year, another Ofsted inspection lifted the school out of special measures with quality of teaching, pupil behaviour, and leadership and management all being lifted up to ‘good’ – the second highest category.

Early this year it was announced that the school was being held up as a role model for youngsters’ behaviour across the UK by the Department of Education.

The school also enjoyed its best GCSE results last year improving on its predecessors St Theodore’s and St Hilda’s.

Most importantly, the good news of what’s been happening at the school has clearly gone round the community with the result being it has been over-subscribed for the first time in many years.

Two years ago there were 225 applications at year 7 with 230 last year. This year, they have reached capacity of 250 with a waiting list.

Blessed Trinity English teacher Sarah Webb, who nominated Mr Varey for the award, sponsored by Accrington and Rossendale College, wrote: “He has brought in strong teachers in every department. The pass rate in maths has steadily risen from 51 per cent in 2011 to 58 per cent and then most recently 62 per cent.”

French and graphics have also seen pass rates jump from a little over 50 per cent to 80 per cent and above. There’s been sporting success too with the school’s year 10 football team becoming the first Burnley school to be crowned English schools national champions after a triumphant final at Pride Park, home of Derby County.

Sarah wrote: “Mr Varey has helped to enhance the reputation of the school so that fewer pupils are choosing to leave Burnley to get what they see as the best education – something which had happened previously.

“It is also a happier place to work. Morale is high among the staff and the pupils.

“Everyone knows where they stand and it’s a great place to come to work, to learn and to teach.”

  • Judges also praised the work of David Hampson, of Alder Grange Community, Technology School and Sixth Form, Rawtenstall and Ian Maddison of Crosshill Special School, Blackburn.