Crisis-hit St George's School appoints ‘superhead’ Martin Tissot

Published: 17 September 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

THE headteacher  credited with turning around the fortunes of a Maida Vale secondary school will be parachuted into another crisis-hit school.

Martin Tissot, headteacher at St George’s School, will become that latest “superhead” in London, taking over the running of St Thomas More Roman Catholic School in Wood Green after its headteacher requested “anonymous leave” following a campaign by parents to oust him over an alleged series of violent incidents at the school. 

Mr Tissot has been instrumental in improving the reputation of St George’s, which has struggled to shake off the shadow of the fatal stabbing of former head Philip Lawrence, who died trying to defend a pupil in a fight outside the school gates in 1995. 

St George’s, in Lanark Road, was recently classed as “outstanding” by Ofsted inspectors and it is hoped the new head will instill the same brand of discipline which has proved so effective at St George’s.

In a statement Mr Tissot said he was “delighted” with the move. 

He said: “I am determined to ensure that the school keeps on improving and am heartened by the commitment and support of Haringey Council, staff, parents, pupils and governors alike. 

“With the senior team and staff, I will be completely focused on ensuring the climate for learning is appropriate and that the upward momentum of   academic results is maintained.”

He follows in the footsteps of Quintin Kynaston headteacher Jo Shuter, who was appointed interim head at Pimlico School 

after it was placed in special measures by West­minster Council in 2007. 

Mr Tissot was appointed head at St George’s in 2006. 

Last year the school was named as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country.