The head of Kent’s only secondary school under special measures has dismissed any notion of a Grange Hill reputation.

A year ago The Holmesdale School was rated inadequate across the board, and as 2018 wore on, four senior members of staff left, including former head Tina Bissett.

Nicki Hodges arrived in January, less than four years after helping pull the North School in Ashford out of special measures.

Seven weeks into her new role as headteacher Mrs Hodges is looking to pull off the same turnaround, but assured the Kent Messenger there are no quick fixes.

She said: “When people think of special measures, they think of Grange Hill, they think the school’s going to be awful. But that’s not the case here.

“Ofsted doesn’t put a school in special measures lightly, but this isn’t about students’ behaviour.

“It’s about students completing a good quantity of quality work”

Ofsted published its damning report into The Holmesdale School in March 2018.

It was given the lowest possible ranking by inspectors, who raised concerns over safety, attendance and leadership.

A follow up report published in September claimed progress had been “too slow”.

Since leaving the North School in 2017, Mrs Hodges has been part of Swale Academies Trusts team providing expert advice and support to schools under the trust’s control.

She admitted she felt “comfortable and confident” turning struggling schools around.

So how do heads get a school out of special measures?

Mrs Hodges said: “It depends on the needs of each school.

“We’ve started by working with leadership here at Holmesdale, once the senior members of staff know exactly what they need to focus on it will filter down.

“Since Christmas we’ve had three new members of staff join, two from other SAT schools. After Easter there will be another six.

“I strongly believe in supporting and developing staff. I’ve seen time after time with struggling schools, giving staff the proper support can turn things around, all for the benefit of the students.

“It’s about the quality of line management, assessing if our teachers are making our strategies work.

“I’ve been delighted teachers’ and pupils’ response.

“We don’t know when the next inspection will come, but the school will be meeting to discuss if our plans are working.”

Now a part of Swale Academies Trust, The Holmesdale School can share resources with other schools under the trust.

Mrs Hodges explained: “It’s a really valuable way for students to get a fresh perspective. We’ve had other staff come in to provide year group-wide lessons.

“A lot of visitors tell me this is a nice a school to come to.”

The school in Malling Road, Snodland is holding a progress meeting with parents tonight (Thursday).