THE head teacher of a secondary school in one of Scotland's most deprived communities has moved after concerns were raised over the running of the school.
May Winton, the former head teacher at Drumchapel High School, in Glasgow, left the post after an inspection by Education Scotland, the new national body responsible for overseeing teaching and learning.
Although the report has not yet been published, The Herald understands it could be one of the worst ever received by a Glasgow school. It is understood Mrs Winton's departure in directly linked to the poor inspection report.
Mrs Winton has now taken up a post as a deputy head teacher at John Paul Academy, to the north of the city.
She has been replaced by Donna McMasters, formerly of Castlemilk High on the south side of the city.
Drumchapel High School is a non-denominational secondary school which serves an area of severe multiple deprivation.
Half of its pupils are on free school meals – a key indicator of poverty – compared to a Glasgow average of 29% and a Scottish average of just 15%.
The proportion of pupils on free school meals is believed to be the highest of all Scottish secondary schools.
The school performs significantly below the national average in exams, in line with other schools in areas where pupils are dealing with significant deprivation when they grow up.
Only 10% of pupils go on to some form of higher education course at a college or university compared to a Scottish average of 36%.
This year just 1% of pupils achieved five Highers by the end of S5. Last year, truancy at the school ran at of 11% compared to a Scottish average of under 3%. The truancy rate for pupils in S3 was nearly 20%.
A previous inspection in 2005 found parents thought the school was well led.
The 2005 report said attainment was "fair" for a school serving its catchment area, although it stressed there were important weaknesses.
Of the previous headteacher, Wilson Blakey, the report stated: "The head teacher had achieved continuing progress with a range of major improvements in his 12 years in post.
"He had a clear vision for the school as an inclusive, dynamic community and had made notable progress towards achieving that vision.
"He had led the school skilfully through a period in which the nature of the school's catchment area had changed significantly and the range and challenge of pupils' needs had continued to grow.
"He had won the respect of staff and the community for his sustained, resourceful efforts to improve pupils' experience."
A council spokeswoman denied Mrs Winton had been demoted, saying she had made the move to another school voluntarily.
"We would like to thank the headteacher for her endeavours over the last few years and raising attainment in the school," said the spokeswoman.
"An acting head teacher has been in place from the start of the new term in January."
Mrs Winton declined to comment to a request made by The Herald through the education authority.
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