THE new chairman of the board which replaced governors at Queen s School warned this week that she remained concerned with many aspects of the school. Of particular concern, said Councillor Jill Tuck, were standards and achievement, staff morale and

THE new chairman of the board which replaced governors at Queen's School warned this week that she remained concerned " with many aspects of the school."

Of particular concern, said Councillor Jill Tuck, were " standards and achievement, staff morale and student welfare."

Cllr Juck was speaking after the first week of the new term at the Wisbech school where a new leadership team has been set up to improve standards.

Significant concerns held by Cambridgeshire County Council about the school were confirmed when it was placed in 'special measures' on July 3. OfSTED's conclusions gave the county council greater powers of intervention, and the school's governing body was replaced by an Interim Executive Board (IEB).

Cllr Tuck, chairman of the IEB, said a number of initiatives are being introduced at the school for underachieving 14 and 15-year-olds, and the College of West Anglia will be working closely with the school to secure its future.

She was delighted with the "swift and effective progress" already being made by Tony Cooper, newly appointed executive head, and the IEB.

"The school was not effective in the way it responded to external scrutiny and criticism and had not been sufficiently willing to work in partnership with the county council to address areas of concern," said Cllr Tuck. "All that is now changing."

Mr Cooper said: "In order to turn the ethos of the school around, changes need to be made - and I will not shy away from making those changes. But with that will also come uncertainty and rumours.

"I want to assure staff, pupils and parents that my door is always open if they wish to discuss any concerns.

"Our focus now is on the students, and helping them to achieve their best. Poor behaviour and lack of discipline will not be tolerated.