Willie Atkinson interview

This article was first published in the London Newspaper Group in 1995.

Taking over the helm of a school branded one of the worst in Britain may seem a foolhardy career move. But for one man, the opportunity to put Hammersmith School back on track was too good to miss. By Lucy Hodges

Trained at Battersea School and King’s College London, Jamaican‑born William Atkinson has built a reputation for rescuing so‑called problem schools in deprived areas.

His first deputy headship was at Henry Thornton School in Clapham during the Brixton riots. This was followed by a spell at White Hart School, within half a mile of running street battles at Broadwater Farm.

For the last seven years, Mr Atkinson has been head of Cranford Community School in Hounslow - a huge comprehensive that was given a glowing Ofsted report in October 1993, which said pupil behaviour and attendance was consistently high.

Now Mr Atkinson says he wants to bring this track record to Hammersmith when he takes up his headship after the Easter break.

He explained: “Although this is one of the smallest schools I will have run, it is also my toughest challenge to date. But I’m confident enough we’ll see immediate results that I’m prepared to put my career on the line. If this school goes down, so will my name and I’m not going to let that happen.”

Having acted as head and deputy head of four schools, Mr Atkinson is realistic about the huge task ahead of him.

Classed as a failing school last March, the comprehensive - now half‑empty due to dwindling pupil numbers - failed a follow‑up inspection last autumn, which revealed truancy, bad behaviour and poor teaching.

Now Mr Atkinson has just four months to lift the threat of the school being taken out of Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s control by becoming grant maintained.

One of the most immediate changes pupils will notice when they return after Easter is that they will no longer be attending Hammersmith School. Mr Atkinson is changing its name to the Phoenix High School, ridding it of a name, he says, that is synonymous with failure.

Pupils will find broken paving stones will have been tarmaced, some of the classrooms carpeted, and the tennis courts mended. Symbolic moves, but Mr Atkinson insists the change will not  merely be cosmetic.

“When I took on this job I made it clear that some things had to be done immediately. That included changing the name, as well as the environment which is very drab and uninviting.

“There will be many sweeping changes, not least that I expect several pupils may be permanently excluded shortly after I arrive. I will also be monitoring teachers’ performance and regularly visiting classrooms.

“We need to get the message across very quickly that achievements will be consistently recognised and rewarded, but sanctions will be applied where necessary as well.”

Having risked his career to raise a school from the bottom, Mr Atkinson expects parents to show the same level of commitment as well.

He added: “I think parents who do not force their children to go to school should face prosecution.

“One of the reasons we have been so successful at Cranford is the support of the parents.

“If we can get that level of support here and prove children will excel, The Phoenix will be judged on national and not just local standards. Without this commitment from everyone, this bird will crash land before it can fly.”