by Hayley Robinson

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 progress 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, 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 to parents on
Monday 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 we
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.

"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."