Ernulf headteacher leaves St Neots school by mutual consent

The headteacher of a St Neots secondary school is no longer in post; it has been announced this morning.

Scott Preston has left Ernulf Academy by “mutual agreement” according to a statement released by the school’s governing body and the St Neots Learning Partnership.

In the statement, it was acknowledged that the school had been through some difficult and testing times.

“Mr Preston has provided an element of stability for Ernulf Academy during several years of turbulent leadership, supporting the school through some very low points,” the statement read.

“Having worked at Ernulf since 2003, being asked to take on the headship in 2013 was one of Scott’s proudest professional moments.

“After taking over at a very difficult time for the school, he is very proud of all that has been achieved.

“Working in partnership with staff, students and parents, he has steered the school out of the ‘serious weaknesses’ designation, ensuring the achievement of the best examination results in its history in 2014, building the foundations for the school to be judged Good in the near future.”

At the end of last year, Ofsted graded the school as requiring improvement and further visits were deemed a requirement.

In March, The Hunts Post reported how Mr Preston described an Ofsted inspector’s findings, following a visit in March, as “a very skewed view”.

The inspector had questioned the attitude of pupils, saying they showed “apathy, boredom and rudeness”.

But Mr Preston had defended the school’s record, and specifically how the pupils in question had been dealt with by staff.

Today’s statement added: “Scott will follow the fortunes of the Academy with a keen interest and wishes the students, the staff and the school every success in the future.”

The school’s governing body thanked Mr Preston for his “hard work, dedication and loyalty” and for his strong and active support in the formation and development of the St Neots Learning Partnership.