SCHOOL inspections are a headache for any teacher - but Tarun Kapur has faced FOUR in one year.

The headteacher is in charge of three Greater Manchester secondary schools, with each of them receiving visits from inspectors last year.

Normally, Ofsted check standards every three years but, by coincidence, both Ashton on Mersey and Broad Oak schools, in Trafford, were visited this year.

Parrs Wood School, in Didsbury, is in special measures and has twice been visited in the last two months.

Traditionally, a visit is a tense time but Mr Kapur said his staff had coped well with the pressure.

He said: "There is always a lot of work when Ofsted make their visit. It's been a bit like waiting for the buses - nothing happens and then three come at once.

Pressure

"But we are absolutely delighted with what the inspectors have told us about Ashton on Mersey and Broadoak, as well as our record GCSE results at both schools.

"We have also made changes to the structure of Parrs Wood and have been informed we are making good progress on standards. Everyone is rightly proud of being part of such a successful team."

New arrangements for running schools mean executive headteachers can have overall charge of more than one.

Mr Kapur was already in charge of the two Trafford schools when he was made executive head of Parrs Wood after the former top-performing school was slated last year.

Previously hailed as one of the best state schools in the country, inspectors said it had been brought down by 'complacency' and a 'lack of shared vision' among senior teachers. Their last visit was in October, when they said the school was making steady progress.

Ashton-on-Mersey school was rated `outstanding' in their report last month - the fourth successive time it has secured the top grade - and Broadoak High, in Partington, which previously had a poor reputation, was rated `good' in September.