School 'twinned' to raise standards

Measures are being taken to turn around a failing secondary school.

High View in Breadsall, Derby is to close and then reopen with a new management team.

The ailing school has been under special measures for almost two years and has had poor exam results for much longer.

Derby City Council is joining the school up with a more successful one, Leas Brook Community Sports College.

Staff at High View have been told they may have to re-apply for their jobs at the end of the summer.

The current head teacher at Lees Brook, Carol Dibbs, is to become the executive head teacher of both schools.

The change is being proposed after the GCSE pass rate at High View fell from 12% to 7%.

An Ofsted report in October said that not enough progress was being made to raise the school out of special measures.

The Department of Education and Skills is backing the twinning of the two schools.