A SCHOOL has recruited a trio of inspirational teachers as it bids to turn around its fortunes after a disappointing inspection by education watchdogs.

Head Teacher Ruth England, who arrived at Shuttleworth College in Padiham just as the Burnley Road high school was said to have “serious weaknesses”, has welcomed three experienced tutors.

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Liz Dempsey is a former assistant head teacher at St Gabriel’s RC High in Bury and will take up the role of assistant head of languages at Shuttleworth.

Drama teacher Beth Watson had a shorter transfer – she was formerly head of performing arts at Blessed Trinity RC High in Burnley – and joins as assistant head for teaching and learning.

Deborah Allen is Shuttleworth’s new deputy head, arriving from Bradford’s Thornton Grammar School, with the leadership team rounded off by another deputy head, Sally Sagar, assistant head Holly Clarke and colleagues Craig Parkinson, Hillary Till and Paul Thompson.

Mrs England said: “It’s a time of change at the school.

“Ofsted identified our weaknesses and, since I became head teacher in August, we have moved swiftly to turn this around.

“These are three really strong teachers and leaders who have already made an impact here and will take the school forward towards excellence.”

Ms Dempsey said: “I am really excited about the new challenge. This school is on a definite upward path and it’s great to be part of it.”

Mrs Watson said: “It’s an exciting time to be at Shuttleworth, it is a school with a great vision and I didn’t want to miss this opportunity of leading the school into a new era.”

And Mrs Allen added: “It’s a superb challenge. When I came for the interview, I was impressed by the students – they were all so polite – and I was inspired by the head teacher.”

Ofsted inspectors returned to the school in December and were pleased that the school was making “robust” progress to address the failings which had been identified during their previous visit last September.

Lead Inspector Terry Holland said he was satisfied “rapid and appropriate actions” had been taken “to address key problems” identified during the inspection.

Following the September visit, inspectors noted that “school leaders have previously not been effective in securing rapid and sustained improvement in students’ attainment and progress and in improving standards in teaching and learning”.