‘ENORMOUS progress’ has been made to resolve problems at a crisis-hit school.

Headteachers John Lawson and Jean McGrath, who have taken over Darwen Vale High School, said the first local joint negotiating and consultative committee meeting was ‘very positive’.

A special committee made up of unions, Blackburn with Darwen Council, and school representatives, has been set up to get the Holden Fold-based school back on track.

The pair were drafted in after head Hilary Torpey was suspended while investigations take place into a failure to back up teachers when dealing with unruly pupil behaviour.

They have reverted to the former behaviour policy in place while Mr Lawson was in charge of the school after Lynn Dunning’s death in 2009.

In a joint statement Mr Lawson and Ms McGrath said: “The meeting took place in a very positive and constructive atmosphere and celebrated the enormous progress that has been made in a very short period of time, since the interim leadership was appointed.

“Terms of reference were agreed and a chairperson and formal secretary elected from the school leadership and trade unions respectively and a schedule of further meetings arranged.”

Blackburn with Darwen representative for the NUT, Simon Jones, said: “We are delighted with the progress that has been made and look forward to being able to declare a formal end to this dispute in the very near future.”

John Girdley, of the NAS/ UWT, said: “The new management team have our full support and we believe they will take the school forward in the best interests of staff and pupils.”