Failing school in £650k overhaul

A failing school in Dudley will receive a six-figure facelift when a new board of governors and headteacher take the helm this summer, it has been revealed.

The refurbishment works at Castle High School have been announced after the Government confirmed a grant of £650,000 to drive up standards.

Cabinet member for children's services, Councillor Liz Walker, today welcomed the cash, adding she was confident the school in St James's Road would meet GCSE targets in the next academic year.

The latest results saw less than 30 per cent of pupils achieve five or more A-star to C grades, including English and maths. Former Children's secretary Ed Balls ordered an urgent review of the school because of its continued failure to meet the benchmark, resulting in the overhaul.

The new board of governors and headteacher will be in place by September.