BANKFIELD School in Widnes branded ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted inspectors and placed in special measures is making a remarkable recovery, say education chiefs.

It is to be renamed Ormiston Chadwick Academy after top British scientist Sir James Chadwick who discovered the neutron.

John Rigby has been appointed executive principal and will oversee the Liverpool Road school and Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy in Runcorn.

Tuesday Humby will be principal of the new academy when it is launched in September with pupils wearing a new uniform with a new motto ‘Age Quod Agis’ which translates as ‘Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability’.

The pair have worked together at the Murdishaw school since 2010 and have vowed to raise standards.

Tuesday Humby said: “My minimum expectation for teaching standards are that they are good all the time, in every lesson, in every classroom. The same applies for behaviour.

“An intensive teaching programme and new behavioural strategy have assisted in raising the standards.

“We will only appoint good or outstanding, dedicated staff who will go above and beyond for our students.”

Leadership and management were criticised by Ofsted inspectors for failing to tackle weaknesses.

They said pupils were under achieving and governors were blamed for being too weak to check performance.

Ofsted welcomed improvements during a monitoring visit in March. Another inspection is imminent.

Mrs Humby added: “We are now well positioned to make the necessary further changes and ensure that the rate of improvement does not slow down.

“We now have over 100 activities for students to choose from every week including horse riding, climbing and golf.

“We have widened the curriculum. Students can opt into courses such as engineering, motor vehicle and hair and beauty.

“We have personalised the curriculum so that every student can and will succeed.

“This is a very exciting place to learn and to teach.”

Students can study a range of additional subjects at a Saturday Academy.

Widnes Youth Theatre has also been launched to encourage any young people aged 10 to 19 to develop their dance and drama skills.