THE man charged with turning around failing school Newton High says he is positive about the school's latest GCSE results and is aiming to create a platform for pupils to realise their potential.

Results show GCSE pass rates, grades A* to C, at the school stand at 30 per cent, five per cent down on last year and well below the local average of 47.4 per cent.

But Peter Barry, newly-installed head teacher for the school which was placed under special measures in the spring after a highly critical Ofsted report, said: "It was pleasing to see a significant number of pupils did very well and we are looking forward to the future to building a school where all pupils reach their potential.

Progress

"The figures are five per cent down on last year but five per cent up on two years ago (25 per cent). So, it depends whether you view the glass half empty or half full - I view it half full."

Inspectors will visit the school in the autumn term to see how progress is being made. Mr Barry, who has set a target of the school being brought out of special measures next year, said: "To make the school a success will take a mixture of everything, but I think it is important to make sure pupils come to school in an environment to learn, want to learn and feel engaged and part of the school.

"That is one issue - pupils have not felt on board for one reason or another and have turned against the school. That is one difficulty we'll have to put right and make pupils feel part of the school."

Mr Barry takes on the position following the resignation of Susan James in the wake of the damning report's publication.