“WE are not a failing school and we will improve.”

That is the rallying cry from the headmaster of a Poole school threatened with government intervention or even conversion to an academy.

League tables published before Christmas found Branksome Heath Middle School to have fallen below the government’s new standards in maths and English.

Stuart Fox, head at Branksome Heath, accepted the new targets which meant his school had work to do.

But he said: “I don’t believe we are a failing school.

“Every school has challenges and our aim is to make sure every child progresses.

“Our girls’ scores are as good as anywhere in the country, but particularly with the boys, we are trying to provide a more creative curriculum to lift the standards.

“The key is enjoyment – if the children enjoy learning, they achieve more.”

Mr Fox said striving for high standards in literacy and numeracy was paramount.

But he also pointed to the school’s achievement in other areas, such as sport, music, pastoral care and extra-curricular activities.

The coalition government has raised the target for the percentage of pupils achieving level four in maths and English from 55 per cent to 60 per cent.

Education secretary Michael Gove has warned schools that if they don’t hit the mark they could face intervention, takeover or conversion to an academy.

Mr Fox said: “With the effort being put in by staff, children and parents I would be disappointed if we didn’t reach the target this year.”

Poole’s primary and middle schools were ranked 89th out of 152 areas when the league tables for English and maths achievement were published.