AN Ofsted inspection report is something dreaded by some schools - but the new head of St Theodore's in Burnley is looking forward to receiving the document.

John Tat, 47, took over as head of the Roman Catholic high school on Monday and will receive the published report within the next few days.

"The feedback so far has been very positive," he said. "I believe inspectors found 91 per cent of lessons satisfactory or better, which is a tremendous base on which to build, and the sixth form also comes in for particular praise.

"I see Ofsted as setting the agenda for the future and key issues for action are for the governors and teaching staff to act on."

Previous headteacher Chris Meehan died in April last year after losing his battle against cancer.

One of Mr Tat's first tasks was to speak at a memorial service on Wednesday for Mr Meehan, former deputy head Catherine Hoyle, who died after collapsing at her home, and 15-year-old pupil Marco Angelone, who also died of cancer.

He said: "There has been a lot of recent upheavals at the school and a lot of colleagues, parents and pupils have been through a difficult time. My impression of the school is that it is very supportive of each other and there is a sense of community and belonging and that is a great strength. "The Mass was beautiful and a couple of hundred people attended. My impression as an outsider was that there was a great sense of belonging and support. Now the school needs to look to the future."

The school is waiting for a decision on an application for Lottery funding for a new sports hall, changing rooms and improved playing fields including all-weather pitches. But even with the current sporting facilities, which Mr Tat described a "inadequate", the school is known for its sporting excellence and many former pupils have gone on to become professional footballers.

Mr Tat has previously worked in six Catholic schools and was acting head at Corpus Christie RC co-educational High School, Leeds, before taking up the appointment at St Theodore's.

His father is from Italy, his mother is Scottish and he is married to a French woman, Claudine.

The couple have three children Nicholas, 18, Benjamin, 15 and Emily, ten.

They are all in school in Leeds so for the foreseeable future Mr Tat will be commuting each day to Burnley.

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