Link with Leeds academy to turn around school

HLHS was placed into special measures earlier this year and is required by the Department of Education to be sponsored by another school.

The aim is for Abbey Grange Academy, a Leeds based school, to provide the challenge and support needed for HLHS to secure rapid and sustainable improvement.

Helen Morgan, head teacher of HLHS said: “We have a strong working relationship with Abbey Grange, having worked positively with them between 2009 and 2011, during which time we progressed from a ‘satisfactory’ to ‘good’ Ofsted rating.

“My focus is on delivering the best possible outcomes for our students and I believe that the team at Abbey Grange are the perfect fit to support this goal.

“Abbey Grange has agreed a robust plan with the DfE to raise standards at our school, and the improvements in student achievement we achieved this summer show we are building on strong foundations. However, we recognise that there is still much to do in order to transform HLHS into an outstanding place to learn.”

Abbey Grange announced its best ever results for GSCE and A-level this summer. The school, consistently rated as “good” by Ofsted, has recently formed a Multi Academy Trust with St Chad’s Primary in Leeds.

Ahead of official confirmation from the DfE of the sponsorship, Abbey Grange has agreed to work with HLHS to support the school’s development.

While waiting for confirmation of the sponsorship, Carol Kitson, Chief Executive Officer at Abbey Multi Academy Trust, has been appointed by HLHS governors to take on the role of interim executive head teacher at HLHS to provide immediate support.

She said: “I am looking forward to working positively with all the staff and students at HLHS. The determination and ambition for progress which I have already experienced is a strong foundation on which to build.”

During a visit from Her Majesty’s Inspectors, the Stoney Lane school’s determination to improve was recognised as a strength.