The best job in the world

WHEN asked what the main strengths of Ludlow School are, it doesn't take Philip Poulton long to answer.

"The children are our real strength," he replies. "This is the eighth school I have worked at and these are the most able students I've come across. Not only able, but enthusiastic and happy as well.

"We're a happy school, and high achieving but, of course, there is always room for improvement and we're not complacent. Our strong subject is technology. We have specialist technology and design college status but there's the humanities and physical education too.

"We are making sure that everything across the board meets these high standards."

Ludlow became a specialist technology college in 2003, which entitles it to additional funding for technology and design. A total of £300,000 has already been spent refurbishing the technology area. Mr Poulton (right) has been at the school since January.

"Learning is at our centre and we are always making progress," he said. "This September's intake is the highest calibre year group we've had in terms of their key stage exam results."

The school, the largest in the district, will have more than 850 pupils in September and each one is important to Mr Poulton.

"We have children of varying ability and we aim to raise the expectations and ambitions of all of them," he says. "We have a huge commitment to the pastoral centre, which caters for pupils with particular learning or behavioural needs.

It has a staff to pupil ratio of about three to eight, which means lessons can be tailor-made.

The results of the hard work by staff, students and parents were seen in August when there was an 8% rise in the number of pupils achieving five or more A*-C grades.

The school's specialist status also began to shine as 81% of technology GCSEs were a C grade or above.

To most people, however, a school is more than just an academic institute.

"Our school is a hub of the community, we depend on support from the community and the community depends on the school to do a good job," explained Mr Poulton.

"I need to ensure that parents are proud of the school their sons and daughters attend.

"Sometimes it's hard work to make sure we're doing all we can, but it's the best job in the world."