School picked to lead the way
Headteacher Ian Kirkland is on top form after being hand-picked for a top national role helping struggling schools.
Only weeks after his school was officially declared outstanding, the headteacher has become one of a small group of heads across the country recruited to the prestigious role of National Leader of Education.
It also means his school is now officially designated a National Support School and will be expected to help other schools get out of trouble.
Along with the head, staff at Lostock Hall will be expected to play a leading part in raising standards at the schools they are asked to help.
Mr Kirkland said: "This is a tremendous honour for both myself and our schools, which reflects on the outstanding achievements of all our staff, pupils , governors and parents."
Toby Salt, deputy chief executive of the National College for School Leadership, which makes the appointments, added; " I am so proud that outstanding school leaders like Ian Kirkland are being honoured in this way.
"NLEs supported by their schools, have a more important role to play than ever in ensuring that excellent school leadership and the best possible opportunities are available to as many children as possible."
The 400-plus pupil school recently received an outstanding accolade from Ofsted inspectors.
After visiting the school and talking to staff, pupils, and parents lead inspector Joe Clark told pupils they were "a credit to your teachers and parents or carers. Your behaviour is excellent.
Your attendance is outstanding" and added: "In your work, you make more progress than pupils in most schools as well as reaching higher standards."
He paid tribute to staff and said pupils were "exceptionally well taught" and applauded the "brilliant leadership and management of the school" by the headteacher.
Lostock Hall was described as "outstanding" and every area of school life was praised.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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