A NEW headteacher has been appointed to run a school placed in special measures by Ofsted this year, after it was judged inadequate.

Chris Drew will take over as principal of Northallerton School and Sixth Form College on September 1 this year.

Ofsted inspectors found a catalogue of failings at Northallerton School and Sixth Form College following an inspection this year, as a result of which inspectors recommended the school improved safeguarding “as a matter of urgency”.

It rated the school inadequate in personal development, behaviour and welfare; quality of teaching, planning and assessment; effective leadership and management and outcomes for pupils aged 16 to 19.

The county council had implemented an urgent recovery plan for the school just before the end of last year and replaced the leadership roles at the school.

Days after the interim team was put in place, an Ofsted inspection took place and failed the school in all five areas of investigation.

Mr Drew has worked in education for 25 years and was principal of The King’s Academy in Middlesbrough for ten years.

His appointment was announced in a letter to parents, which stated; “He was principal of The King's Academy (11-18) in Middlesbrough for ten years and during that time great strides were made in students' academic outcomes, as well as in attendance, behaviour and work ethic.

“The school was graded "Good" by Ofsted for all ten years of his leadership.”

A new vice principal, Vicki Rahn, was also announced at the same time. She was acting principal of Caedmon College in Whitby and was said to be instrumental in many initiatives which saw the school recovering from a period in special measures to be graded as good in its last four inspections.