Fresh shake-up at troubled school

The council is carrying out a major review of schooling in north Halifax

One of the country's most troubled schools - The Ridings in Halifax - has been put back into special measures after a damning report by inspectors.

The school gained notoriety in 1996 when staff walked out over classroom violence and a new head was appointed.

But Ofsted says attempts to improve the school have been scuppered by a core of teachers who refuse to accept change.

Calderdale Council is to ask Education Secretary Alan Johnson for permission to remove the existing governors.

They will be replaced by a small executive board to oversee improvements.

A minority of teachers...do not cooperate with senior managers and refuse to take on board new ideas Ofsted report

Overall, the school is rated "inadequate" in 18 out of 26 categories in the Ofsted inspectors' report.

The quality of teaching, behaviour, exam results and the failure of pupils to progress are all criticised.

However, the inspectors back head teacher Stuart Todd's attempts to improve the school in the face of opposition from a minority of his teachers.

The report says: "The school's leaders report a small core of teachers who have refused to comply with management requests. This view is supported by the governors and the local authority.

"Managers have been caring and industrious in their attempts to drive forward plans intended to benefit students. Unfortunately, they have not moved swiftly enough or with sufficient rigour.

There is a perception that Riding pupils have failed, a union says

"The senior leadership team identifies a barrier to progress as being a minority of teachers who do not cooperate with senior managers and refuse to take on board new ideas.

"This has slowed the introduction of initiatives designed to help students learn more effectively."

In their recommendations of what the school can do to improve further Ofsted said it should "ensure that all staff work together, their first priority being the needs of the young people in their care".

Stephen Baines, Calderdale Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "The interests of the young people at this school are paramount.

"The council is unequivocal in its support for the school's head teacher and senior management team as they attempt to bring about significant improvements."

Students' struggle

Sue McMahon, of Calderdale National Union of Teachers urged the government to continue to support the school.

She said: "The Ridings is a community of people who do not deserve the title 'the school from hell' as described in recent years by the media.

"There are brilliant teachers and talented, hard-working students at The Ridings.

"However, many of these students are constantly working against the tide, they struggle to break the perceived image of having failed because they do not attend the local grammar school on their doorstep."