George Salter Academy: Troubled school to be taken over by new headteacher
A troubled school in West Bromwich ranked inadequate by Ofsted inspectors will be taken over by a new headteacher.
Pank Patel, who is the Regional Schools Commissioner for the West Midlands, will be parachuted into George Salter Academy starting in September.
Mr Patel took up the commissioner post in September 2014. Previously he was head of Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury.
George Salter Academy, in Davey Road, was rated inadequate by the schools watchdog in its latest report, released earlier this month. Particular criticism was heaped on the school's leaders, with inspectors classing this as 'weak'.
School chiefs said Mr Patel has been appointed 'following an open application process and national recruitment campaign to identify the highest quality candidate' and he has 'an outstanding record'.
Click here to download the report
Mr Patel said: "It has been an honour to serve as a Regional Schools Commissioner. I have missed being a head though, so I am looking forward to getting back into a strong local academy from September. I know George Salter Academy is very well regarded locally with good academic results."
A spokesman for George Salter Academy said: "Pank Patel is an outstanding headteacher, who achieved fantastic results as leader of Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury, before he took on his current role as Regional Schools Commissioner for the West Midlands."
The academy is led by interim principal Pat Walters, who took over after former head Bob Banks left in March. Inspectors said governors' actions have left the school's policies unfit for purpose. It added: "Safeguarding procedures, including attendance and behaviour, are not adequately reviewed and evaluated by senior leaders and governors."
It also said: "Teachers have not had the necessary safeguarding and child protection training." Following the report a school spokesman said: "
The sponsor has taken decisive action to address the concerns raised."
