New high school head’s Ofsted vow
THE new headteacher at Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School has spoken of his ‘delight and excitement’ at taking up the role.
Andrew Williams has succeeded Paul Trickett who retired this summer after 25 years at the Oswaldtwistle school.
It will be the first time he has worked as a headteacher and leaves Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe after three years as deputy headteacher.
This week Rhyddings was told by Ofsted inspectors that the school ‘requires improvement’ in all four key areas after previously being rated ‘good’.
Mr Williams said he will make ‘no apologies for the high expectations and demands’ of everyone at the school and wants to address any issues with ‘pace and rigour’., He said: “I was appointed last December so I’ve had to wait some time to take up post so the anticipation has been huge.
“I couldn’t have been more welcomed by the pupils and the staff in my first week, they have made the wait worthwhile. So not only am I excited to take up post I’m very excited for the future too.
“I think I want the same as every other Headteacher and parent, the very best for the children in my care. I want the school to provide the very best educational experience each pupil deserves.
“This means we will have a relentless focus on continual improvement of both our practice and our environment.”
Mr Williams said he wants to focus on ‘doing the basics beautifully’ by making pupils take ‘pride in their uniform and appearance’ and arriving to school on time with the correct equipment.
Ofsted inspectors said the quality of education had ‘declined’ at the school with leaders and governors having an ‘overly optimistic view of the school’s performance’ and ‘too many pupils still not making the progress they are capable of’.
Mr Williams said: “We need to improve and the recent inspection report gives us all clarity on the issues that need to be addressed, which we will do with pace and rigour.
“Despite the report there are still many good things about the school, which I have witnessed and experienced already.
“However, we need all the stakeholders of the school, not just the governors and staff, but the pupils, parents and wider community to get behind us with the improvement agenda and ensure that ‘Team Rhyddings’ is a collective strength for that improvement.”