SECONDARY schools across the borough will be put under a rigorous regime to tackle failings that have seen St Helens slump to 148th position in Ofsted’s national rankings, says the town’s first schools commissioner.

Phil Fitzpatrick was appointed in the autumn to address problems that had led to the education watchdogs figures for 2014 showing just a third of high school pupils attend a school that is rated at least good.

Since then De La Salle and Lansbury Bridge have also slid into special measures but Mr Fitzpatrick, who has vast experience of turning around failing schools, believes that a stronger hand and greater guidance from the local authority can address failings and reverse the trend of negative inspections.

His target is to ensure St Helens Council achieves its goal of 2016 of all secondaries being graded as at least good by government inspectors, while also building on the strong performance of primaries.

His strategy includes effectively putting schools through “MOTs” to check on their health and ensure weaknesses are identified and resolved, so that head teachers are not simply left picking up the pieces after Ofsted visits.

Speaking to the Star, Mr Fitzpatrick, who is currently balancing his role with the three-month acting headship at Lymm High in Warrington, said: “Children only get one experience in secondary school and we need to ensure we deliver the best we possibly can.

“Hopefully I bring with me expertise and experience. For those schools in special measures it is not the problems you face but how you face them.”

He says that to ensure change demands a process of “responsibility, accountability, timeframe and rigour”, meaning head teachers, school leaders and governors will all be under increased pressure to follow action plans to deliver improvements.

Delegations from schools will be asked to make presentations before a St Helens School Improvement Board – a panel consisting of senior education officers and councillors – while Mr Fitzpatrick, whose role is currently part-time for an initial 12 months, is also in regular contact with head teachers.

He added that so far all heads have been receptive to his advice and the role of improvement board. However, if a significant lack of progress or obstructiveness is noted, the council would have the powers to enforce an inspection under the Education Act 2006 or seek changes in leadership where necessary.

The commissioner adds that the positive signs at St Augustine’s in Blackbrook, which went from inadequate to good in the space of 12 months show that strong leadership can bring about a swift transformation.

Cowley, Haydock and Rainhill High are the other secondaries with good ratings.

Local education chiefs – who have faced criticism from some Star readers for a perceived lack of response in face of the crisis – believe Mr Fitzpatrick’s presence is evidence they have been taking action.