Creative arts building opening was a false dawn for KGV
The Southport Visiter newspaper is published by Trinity Mirror Merseyside, a subsidiary company of Trinity Mirror PLC, which is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. We adhere to the Editors’ Code of Practice as enforced by who are contactable for advice at IPSO, Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London, EC4M 7LG. Website http://www.ipso.co.uk/ Telephone: 0300 123 2220 email advice@ipso.co.uk If you have a complaint concerning a potential breach of the Code of Practice, we will deal with your complaint directly or can refer your complaint to us. Please go to http://www.trinitymirror.com/ howtocomplain where you can view our Complaints Policy and Procedure. A “How To Complain” pack is also available by writing to the Legal and Compliance Department, Trinity Mirror PLC, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP. A NEW £4million creative arts building was hailed at its opening last year as a relaunch for Southport’s ailing KGV College, writes Martin Hovden.
But in the 12 months since students started using the facility, the college has apparently been staging its own ongoing behind-the-scenes drama.
The person who put so much faith in KGV’s future last June and who took centre stage was its principal Adele Wills. This week she was replaced by her deputy.
I was invited to the arts building opening to film a video for Channel 1 Southport, my online community TV station.
It was a very positive occasion, complete with excerpts from the musical Grease, a college band and tours of the building.
I interviewed principal Wills and Julian McInerney, chairman of governors. Both were keen to stress the new arts facility was symbolic of the college’s determined efforts to put poor Ofsted reports behind them and look to the future.
A positive Mr McInerney told guests in the college’s new theatre: “In the six to nine months since the Ofsted report, a tremendous amount of effort has gone in from everyone associated with the college.
“And I am pleased to say that is reflected in the monitoring visits that Ofsted has carried since then and we are definitely seeing the return of outstanding teaching to this college.”
He made those comments last June – 10 days before Anne-Marie Francis took up her position as KGV’s new vice- principal. She becomes acting principal next week.
Mr McInerney said this week: “The governing body is unreservedly in support of Anne-Marie. She has been an inspiring and driving force in rapidly moving the college forward in its journey back to its rightful place as an outstanding college.”
The college was refusing to answer questions this week about whether Ms Wills left on a voluntary basis or was pushed.
We have no idea what’s been happening at KGV since last June, but it’s fascinating to look at the footage I filmed at last year’s official opening.
Everyone was optimistic about its future, including Anne-Marie Francis.
But as Adele Wills found out this week, management can be an unpredictable game – just ask Man United’s former manager Louis van Gaal.
See the video at Visiter. co.uk