A LIVERPOOL school has enlisted the “most skilled governing body in the country” to ensure it continues to climb away from the foot of exam league tables.

The new board of governors at Parklands High School, in Speke, comprises the cream of education, business and even the fire brigade.

They were hand-picked by a new trust which now oversees the management of the secondary to ensure it continues to flourish.

In January last year, Parklands High found itself at the bottom of the GCSE league tables, with only 1% of pupils achieving five good grades including maths and English.

But, since then, it has made huge strides forward, with 21% of students hitting the target this year, while those achieving five good grades in any subject rose from 38% to a record 52%.

Its revival is expected to continue after it became a National Challenge Trust School in September, with its overall management led by The Blue Coat grammar school, in Wavertree; Royal Liver Assurance; the University of Liverpool; and Liverpool Council, in conjunction with head teacher Alan Smithies.

A governing body of leaders in their field has now been established to share talents and expertise on strategy, leadership and marketing advice with the school, along with work placements and workshops for pupils.

The governors include Professor Stephen Holloway, Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Liverpool; Tony McGuirk, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer; Pastor Steven Casey, of Speke Baptist Church; Elizabeth Romnes, head of corporate affairs at Royal Liver Assurance; Susan Roberts, director of Five Children and Families Trust; Julia Shaw, The Blue Coat chair of governors; Sandy Tittershill, former Blue Coat head teacher; and Wayne Gales, director of operations at South Liverpool Housing.