Aireborough schools in difficulty are to get help from 'troubleshooting' head teachers.

A team of up to ten is being employed by Leeds City Council to guide schools through times of difficulty. And the heads will soon be on standby to go into schools at short notice to work with teachers and governors to raise standards.

Keith Burton, the Council's director of education, said: "The Leeds area has fewer failing schools than average, but when a school is classed as requiring special measures, or having serious weaknesses, we need to move quickly to restore it to full health.

"It is quite common for leadership and management to be identified as areas for action, and in circumstances like these a consultant headteacher from this special team will provide guidance and leadership."

He added: "It is also often the case that effective headteachers need some temporary assistance to help them draw up and quickly implement an OFSTED action plan while continuing the day-to-day running of the school."

The head teachers are expected to be seconded to the schools for six weeks to six months during which appropriate "acting up" arrangements will be in place at the consultant head's own school.

Coun Tom Murray, with responsibility for education, said: "This pool of headteachers will play a crucial role in helping us support schools in difficulty, and will help us to deliver our vision of a city with 'more achievers and more achievement'.''

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