A NEW headteacher has vowed to get back into the classroom and learn every pupil by name when he takes change.

Bob Wakefield, who is due to begin his headship at Shuttleworth College, Burnley, from September has revealed his plans to teach students as part of his strategy to run and build on the success of the Padiham school.

Mr Wakefield, 52, who is currently finishing his secondment in Tameside, has been visiting the school regularly since April to get to grips with the school, staff and pupils.

Shuttleworth College was created under the Building Schools for the Future scheme but shortly after opening the headteacher Andrew Mackenzie quit, the school was placed into special measures in March 2008. The current head Martin Burgess was bought it who pulled the school out of special measures. He is due to retire at the end of the month.

Mr Wakefield said: “I know this school had a hard start but it is on the road up.

“I want to build on that to bring the school forward.

“I want pupils and staff to be happy and I want to see smiles on people’s faces. I always think if I wouldn’t send my kids to this school why should other parents but from everything I have seen I would send my children here.

“When I start in September I hope to hit the ground running.

“I want to be a headteacher that teaches students and goes into the classroom.

“I don’t want to be stuck behind a desk.

“Even though I am a headteacher I still want to be hands on with students. I want to be in the classroom, watching the football team play. I want to know the kids.

“In my previous school which had 800 pupils I knew over 500 of them by name.”

The science teacher has more than 30 years’ teaching experience.

He specialised in Biochemistry as part of his biological chemistry degree at Manchester Polytechnic University before completing a teaching degree.

Having taught at tough school such as Moston Brook High School in north Manchester, he was pivotal in setting up Alder Community High School after failing Hattersley High School closed.

The school had an eight per cent five A* to C pass rate before it closed and under Mr Wakefield’s headship Alder Community High School last results were 47 per cent five A* to C including English and maths.

Mr Wakefield added: “I have a firm but fair approach but I want every child to leave the school and say they loved it.”