Failing school facing closure

May 23 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

A LIVERPOOL school branded the worst in the country has been given 12 months to improve or face the axe.

Parklands High School, Speke, fell to the bottom of national league ladders in January after GCSE results were compiled and released,

This week, Ofsted said it must be put into special measures.

It said: “HMCI is of the opinion that this school requires special measures because it is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education and the persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvements in the school.”

However, both headteacher Alan Smithies and Liverpool LEA believe the school in Speke - rebuilt under a £27m PFI scheme – can be turned around.

Mr Smithies said: “In fact, we’re aiming to become the most improved school in the country and indicators are that we’re going to reach those targets.”

Liverpool city council said: “Significant progress has already been made.”

richardown