Superhead in charge at ‘Educating’ school after star teacher suspended
A ‘SUPERHEAD’ has been appointed to take charge of controversy-hit Harrop Fold High School.
Damian Owen will become acting head while Drew Povey, made famous by the Educating Greater Manchester TV programme, remains suspended.
Mr Owen said Harrop Fold, in Salford, had ‘an excellent reputation as a very friendly, welcoming school.’
Mr Owen is currently head of the Greater Manchester Learning Trust, which includes Parrs Wood High School in Didsbury.
He will join on an interim basis with senior deputy, Claire Wright.
Mr Owen has 25 years’ experience in education, working in some of the most deprived areas of the country.
Mr Povey and three of his senior staff were sent home in July over allegations that a handful of pupils had been taken off the register.
The practice, known as ‘off-rolling,’ could potentially improve a school’s performance by taking academically poor students off the register.
Harrop Fold has a non-exclusion policy and takes children who have been thrown out of other schools. Mr Povey has vowed to clear his – and the school’s – name.
Salford town hall’s children’s services boss Coun Lisa Stone, said: “Mr Owen has 25 years’ experience in education, an excellent track record, and a wealth of expertise, and will work with staff pupils and parents.
“We want to make sure pupils and staff at Harrop Fold get the very best support possible so they can achieve their full potential. The ongoing governors’ investigation is detailed and complex and has to be done fully and fairly.
“It is in no one’s interest to rush it through.”
Mr Owen became head of the Greater Manchester Learning Trust last year. Before that he was credited as being ‘instrumental’ in leading Manchester Health Academy from having ‘serious weaknesses’ to a good Ofsted in 18 months.
Salford council has refused to say who will pay Mr Owen’s salary.
“I look forward to working with staff, pupils and parents at Harrop Fold which has an excellent reputation as a very friendly and welcoming school,” Mr Owen said.
When Mr Povey became head in 2008, he inherited a debt of £3.5m, which he whittled down to £1.5m.
After gaining fame in the TV series, he did motivational talks on leadership to big businesses and raised £100,000 which he donated to the school.