hrobinson@thekmgroup.co.uk

The Hundred of Hoo School has been plunged into special measures following a poor Ofsted report.

The main findings by inspectors during a recent visit were that students’ achievements were too low and the progress they make is insufficient, some teaching needs to be improved and leadership and management throughout the school were not good enough to secure improvements.

In light of the report principal Tony Williams retired from his post on Friday. Dr Gary Holden, head of the Rochester Math School, pictured, is now executive head of both schools and a new governing body made up of community leaders and/or experienced education experts has been appointed to handle all governance matters and provide strategic direction for the school.

A letter was sent home to parents last night informing them of Ofsted’s findings and the changes the school now faces.

It reads: "The new leadership team and all the staff are dedicated to making improvements. We can assure you that students, especially those taking public examinations, will not be disturbed by the changes. Indeed we hope soon to be able to report improved morale and achievements as well all work together to overcome the current problems."

Rose Collinson, Medway Council’s director of children and adult services, said: "The school has to and it will turn around, I’m very confident about that.

"The students are a great bunch, the staff community are wanting to make changes and I believe that with the leadership now in place they will make changes quickly and swiftly.

"Nobody doubts Tony and the governors who had not been in place very long, their integrity, their commitment and their faithfulness in working for the best of the students but from this report it was clear we needed some changes and we’ve made those.

"The interim executive board has been in place since last week and one of their first actions was to appoint Dr Gary Holden. We don’t want the Maths school to lose ground it’s an outstanding school and at the top of its game. Equally we want that expertise, that skills set to go over to the Hundred of Hoo and for an interim time to make sure that all of that skill and expertise is translated in to making a difference for the Hundred of Hoo school."