New head appointed at Burnley school

Martin Burgess has been named as the successor to Andrew Mackensie at Shuttleworth College in Burnley.

Mr Mackenzie resigned as the school's headteacher last Thursday (March 20), just weeks after it was placed in special measures by Ofsted.

But now the county council have appointed Mr Burgess to take over the second Burnley school created under the county council's £250m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme to be labelled as inadequate.

It is hoped the 58-year-old will give the Kiddrow Lane school a fresh start when he takes up his post on April 21.

His current job is as headteacher of Skerton Community High School, which was taken out of special measures in February 2006, a term earlier than expected.

The Lancaster school was recently judged the 17th best school in the whole country for value added, the measure of improved performance by pupils between the ages of 11 and 16.

Prior to working at Skerton, Mr Burgess headed Nelson's Edge End High School, which was closed as part of the same BSF programme that created Shuttleworth College, for 13 years.

Mr Burgess said: "Skerton is a fabulous school.

"The people who work there really care about their students and work hard for them.

"But I am looking forward to going back to east Lancashire and being part of the team that takes Shuttleworth College onwards and upwards."

Shutttleworth was inspected by Ofsted last month and, although the official report has not been published, the school will be placed in special measures.

County Councillor Marcus Johnstone, cabinet member for children and young people and councillor for Padiham and Burnley West, said: "I am delighted Martin is moving to Shuttleworth.

"His excellent work and experience at Skerton will prove invaluable in addressing the challenges facing Shuttleworth."

Shuttleworth College is currently based on Kiddrow Lane in Burnley. In September the school will move to a purpose built new site on Burnley Road in Padiham.