A SECONDARY school which is in special measures is looking for a new head teacher.

De La Salle Catholic High School in Eccleston is seeking to fill the vacancy after the resignation of head teacher John Toal, who had been in the position since September 2015.

A St Helens Council spokesman said Mr Toal had not returned to the school since Christmas after taking sick leave.

A job advert on the St Helens Council website read: "An exciting opportunity has arisen for the governors of this 11 to 16 mixed VA comprehensive school to appoint a visionary and experienced leader to the post of head teacher.

"The successful candidate must have the vision, energy and drive to lead our school through an exciting period of challenge and rapid change".

The school was placed into special measures in January 2015 after being rated inadequate by Ofsted inspectors.

The school's pupil achievement, leadership and management and quality of teaching had come under fire when the school was placed in special measures.

The secondary school has since had five monitoring inspections, with the first four concluding that the school was taking positive steps.

However, the most recent, which took place in June 2016, stated "leaders and managers are not taking effective action towards the removal of special measures".

The school is due to have one further monitoring inspection by Ofsted before it is decided whether the school is taken out of special measures.

A St Helens Council spokesperson said: “De La Salle High School is seeking to fulfil the position of a permanent head teacher following Mr Toal’s resignation.

“With support from the school’s senior leadership team member and local education authority, executive head teacher Brendan Wall will oversee headteacher responsibilities at the school until July 2017, with assistance from experienced acting headteacher, Cath Flaherty.

“The local authority will continue to work with the school’s leadership team to ensure the best possible outcomes for pupils.”