PARENTS are being reassured quick and decisive action is being taken to turn around the fortunes of a city academy after its principal resigned.
Juliet Strang quit her role at Thomas Ferens Academy last week after a second set of woeful GCSE results.
Just 20 per cent of pupils at the academy gained the gold standard of five A* to C grades including English and maths – the same as last year.
The results were 12 per cent lower than those of Sir Henry Cooper, where the majority of the pupils came from when the academy opened just two years ago.
Now, parents are being reassured the focus is on rapid improvement.
Dr Richard Heseltine, chair of governors at Thomas Ferens Academy, said: "As soon as Juliet Strang resigned, we were very clear that we didn't just want to tread water until we appointed another principal.
"We were really clear that we wanted to make rapid progress and we want to use this time to do just that – move as fast as we can."
Mr Heseltine said he contacted Dr Cathy Taylor, principal at Sirius, after Ms Strang's resignation.
But he said it had been in his mind to work with another school even before her departure.
He said: "As soon as Juliet Strang resigned it very quickly came to the front of our minds.
"Sirius Academy has expertise and additional resources that we think we need.
"There is no specific timescale for the partnership, we are focusing on the immediate future.
"My focus is now until Christmas to get as much done as possible.
"We are asking all the staff to really have that focus.
"There's the need to focus on the fundamentals here in the academy.
"It's about learning, teaching and behaviour, and giving all the staff clarity, focus and the consistency they need to take things forward."
Andy Dulson, an assistant vice- principal at Sirius Academy, will take up the interim principal role.
Ms Taylor said: "As we said at the time when we achieved Ofsted outstanding, we see it as a gateway to continue to raise standards and this is an opportunity of raising standards not just at Sirius, but also for pupils in north Hull."
Ms Taylor and other members of her leadership team will also support the senior team at Thomas Ferens.
Staff from Sirius will also work within the north Hull academy offering support.
Mr Dulson has already begun at the academy and will speak to pupils a year group at a time when they return on Monday.
He will tell them what the expectations are for them as well as the academy's priorities.
Ms Taylor said: "We have a relatively large team at Sirius and having spoken with Mr Heseltine we identified the academy needed a strong leader who is going to provide strategic direction for the academy.
"Andy Dulson has been on the journey from developing certain areas to being judged outstanding by Ofsted and I have every confidence he will do a superb job."
Mr Dulson has been with Sirius Academy from day one.
He said: "I have experienced the full journey.
"One of the first things I want to do is to create a climate and environment where children have belief in themselves and that students believe they can achieve and succeed. We then need to ensure there is rapid progress in the next couple of months."
Mr Dulson said pupils will have a more tailored curriculum for their needs and additional support.
With tough times ahead, it will not be plain sailing for the academy, but Mr Dulson says its a role he is relishing.
He said: "I had no hesitation whatsoever in taking up this challenge.
"Based on the principle that we have experienced the journey in west Hull, we genuinely want to support pupils in the north of Hull and do what is best for the children in this city."
Parents were told of Ms Strang's resignation by letter last week, ahead of the new term.
They are now being invited to a meeting at the Hall Road academy on September 11, where they can ask questions about any concerns they have.
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