Under-fire headteacher vows to turn school around

7:30am Monday 18th March 2013 in News By David Trayner

Hasan Chawdhry, headteacher of Holt Farm Junior School Hasan Chawdhry, headteacher of Holt Farm Junior School

AN UNDER-FIRE headteacher has pledged to address a “legacy of underperformance” and turn around a school in special measures within a year.

Education watchdog Ofsted will check up on Holt Farm Junior School at least once a term after inspectors branded it “inadequate” in a report published last week.

But headteacher Hasan Chawdhry, who has faced a mutiny from teachers at Holt Farm Junior School, Rochford, over his management style, insists the school will be outstanding very soon.

The headteacher, who has 21 years of teaching experience and an OBE for services to education, said: “The Ofsted report was disappointing, but we are totally aware of what we need to improve on.

“We are working hard to put an action plan into practice.

“We will be addressing the legacy of underperformance in the school. It has come about over a number of years but we are tackling it.”

Comments (3)

1:07pm Mon 18 Mar 13

Not A Native says...

The preliminary warning shot before another school is privatised for the benefit of Osborne's mates.
The preliminary warning shot before another school is privatised for the benefit of Osborne's mates. Not A Native

9:45pm Mon 18 Mar 13

DaveyJones says...

Mr Chawdhry is the best person for Holt Farm School. Unfortunately it is five years to late for my son, who leaves in July.

I honestly think that he should reveal the truth about the previous regime (Governers included) to all parents. But he's proving to be the bigger man than I am by not airing he's views.

Any teacher that puts themselves first instead of the pupil's are in the wrong career and rightfully moved on.

It will take time, but keep up the good work Mr Chawdhry.
Mr Chawdhry is the best person for Holt Farm School. Unfortunately it is five years to late for my son, who leaves in July. I honestly think that he should reveal the truth about the previous regime (Governers included) to all parents. But he's proving to be the bigger man than I am by not airing he's views. Any teacher that puts themselves first instead of the pupil's are in the wrong career and rightfully moved on. It will take time, but keep up the good work Mr Chawdhry. DaveyJones

9:14pm Thu 21 Mar 13

allaboutrespect says...

Hmmmm. Don't agree with DaveyJones at all. I do agree that teaching has been poor for a while. However, the Head has added to the problem rather than improved the situation at all. As stated in the recent OFSTED report, leadership of the school was rated "Inadequate". If he was doing the right things, but it was just a case of the teachers letting him down, then the leadership would have been rated better than "inadequate". As a parent who has moved their child from the school as a result of the turmoil that has been going on, I have now seen just how good Junior School can be for their children. The sooner the school gets another (better) head that has the skills to turn the school around, the better. I have my own personal experience of the Head's "people skills" in action and can totally understand why people are saying that they cannot work with him - whether or not they were performing at the required level. There is a way of managing underperformance effectively whilst still treating people with respect.
Hmmmm. Don't agree with DaveyJones at all. I do agree that teaching has been poor for a while. However, the Head has added to the problem rather than improved the situation at all. As stated in the recent OFSTED report, leadership of the school was rated "Inadequate". If he was doing the right things, but it was just a case of the teachers letting him down, then the leadership would have been rated better than "inadequate". As a parent who has moved their child from the school as a result of the turmoil that has been going on, I have now seen just how good Junior School can be for their children. The sooner the school gets another (better) head that has the skills to turn the school around, the better. I have my own personal experience of the Head's "people skills" in action and can totally understand why people are saying that they cannot work with him - whether or not they were performing at the required level. There is a way of managing underperformance effectively whilst still treating people with respect. allaboutrespect

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