ANGRY parents turned out in force to challenge senior staff at a failing Bournemouth secondary school.

Hundreds filled the hall at Winton Arts and Media College to hear how head teacher Roger Allen and his colleagues plan to turn the school around.

The 850-pupil boys school was placed in special measures last term after Ofsted branded it “inadequate” and said it was failing to provide a satisfactory education. At a meeting on Tuesday night parents told Mr Allen they were unhappy with standards at the school but offered to help make things better, possibly by forming a parents association.

Many voiced concerns about poor GCSE results and said their children are not being encouraged to reach their full potential.

Mr Allen told them he hopes the school will come out of special measures within a year and said Year 11 students, due to take GCSE exams this summer, are currently the focus of extra help.

An Associate head teacher, Joe Burns, has been appointed to help Mr Allen drive through improvements.

Mr Burns has experience with turning around troubled schools across the country and will liaise with parents and guardians.

A range of senior managers have also been taken on to take responsibility for certain areas including teaching and learning, student support, learning support, curriculum, student progress, staff support, Year 11 support and faculty leadership.

Government inspectors are due to return to the Winton Way school within weeks to check progress.

Mr Allen told the Daily Echo: “I was very pleased with the turnout for the meeting and believe it went well. We will hold another meeting after the inspectors visit later this term.”