EXCITING changes are afoot at Westleigh High School with their new status as a Technology College coinciding with the appointment of a new head.

As a Technology College, the DfEE and local business will spend £250,000 on the school over the next year to improve facilities.

As a direct result the school will benefit from the redesign and refurbishment of the Technology Block; double the number of the computers in the school and expansion in adult, community and primary involvement.

Westleigh High School's new headteacher is John Pout, deputy head of the school since 1996.

In the early '90s, John was involved in London and Liverpool in the pioneering of BTEC Nationals and GNVQs in schools.

John, 35, a cricketer in the Wigan League, continued this work as deputy head at Westleigh High with his introduction of GNVQs and NVQs, ICT and New Building Projects to the school.

John is delighted with his appointment as headteacher: "It is a great honour to be chosen to be the leader of this school.

" Westleigh High School is on the up, with excellent facilities, state of the art ICT, Technology College status, and improving examination results.

"This allied to a first class team of teachers, staff and very talented students means the future of Westleigh High School is very bright indeed."

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