A TROUBLED school in Burnley has drafted in a new associate headteacher to help it recover from a damning Ofsted report.

Staff at Hameldon Community College - which is currently deemed to be 'failing' - can call upon the assistance of experienced head John Lawson.

He will be assisting current head Gill Broom as teachers, parents and pupils look to turn around the Byrom Street school's fortunes.

Mr Lawson, 56, who was previously head at Southlands School in Chorley and Smithills School in Bolton, will be with the school until the end of the school year.

Education chiefs say that his position will then be reviewed over whether he will stay for longer. His salary has not been revealed.

The school has been found to be making satisfactory progress following two follow-up inspections, carried out during this school year.

County councillor Vali Patel, Lancashire's cabinet member for schools, said: "We are pleased with the progress that head teacher Gill Broom and her team are making.

"John's experience will add an extra dimension."

And Gill Broom, head of Hameldon Community College, s aid : " We are grateful to the local education authority for agreeing to provide this extra support.

"This will enable the college to accelerate the pace of change and build upon the improvements we have already achieved.

"It will also ensure the focus on removal from special measures is maintained whilst planning for the new build and move to the new Coal Clough Lane site."

Mr Lawson, has most recently worked at an international school in Qatar and since returning from the Middle East he has been working as a consultant.

He said: "I am returning to my roots in East Lancashire. I was born in Accrington and have been a lifelong supporter of Burnley FC.

"I am looking forward to working with Gill Broom and her team as associate head."

In two years time Hameldon is set to move to a purpose-built site for 750 pupils, on the former St Hilda's school site, under the Building Schools for the Future programme.