THE headteacher at a Ribble Valley secondary school has stepped down following a period of ill-heath.
Steve Tattersall had been at St Cecilia’s RC High School in Longridge for four years before leaving his post.
The Chapel Hill school, which has 400 pupils on its roll, has appointed Paul Trickett as deputy head to replace the father-of-two from Barrow until a new appointment is made.
Mr Trickett, currently head at Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, has been called in by Lancashire County Council to cover Mr Tattersall’s duties until the appointment of a new head, expected to be in January.
Mr Tattersall rejoined the school as head in 2010, having been assistant head there from 2004 to 2007 until he became deputy head at Holy Cross in Chorley.
Adele Nuttall has been appointed acting headteacher at the Oswaldtwistle school in Mr Trickett’s absence.
Mr Trickett, said: "Unfortunately, owing to health problems, Mr Tattersall decided to resign at the end of the summer term.
"As there wasn't enough time to recruit a replacement for the start of this term, the county council and the local diocese asked me whether I'd be able to step in to provide the school with support on a temporary basis.
"I was delighted to help. I've only been here a few days but it's already clear to me that this is a wonderful school with plenty of potential.
"The process for recruiting a permanent headteacher is already under way and we will be making an appointment in due course."
Last December, St Cecilia’s was rated as ‘requiring improvement’ by the education watchdog Ofsted.
After a two day inspection the school was told there was ‘not enough good teaching’ and inspectors said pupils were not being stretched enough to help them achieve their potential.
In a statement following the sudden news of his decision, Mr Tattersall revealed he had stepped down “after a period of ill health since March and a time for reflection”, and was looking to plan new things for himself and his family.