THE new interim headteacher at Villiers High School has promised to continue the journey towards becoming an Outstanding school.

Phil Masterson, who took over at the beginning of the year, says he will seek to build on the ‘excellent work’ of his predecessor Remo Iafrate.

Mr Masterson, who has been deputy headteacher at the school for ten years, said he feels ‘really privileged’ to lead the Southall school.

He described Villiers as a ‘progressive, forward-facing London school’ where teachers have the highest aspirations for all pupils.

He said: “We have excellent GCSE and A level results and we’re rated Good in all areas by Ofsted.

“There’s a solid platform to build upon and I know the strengths of the school very well.”

He added: “It is a great privilege to lead a school in the heart of the wonderfully diverse community of Southall.

“It is a community I have served with great pride for over 20 years.

“This is an exciting time for the school and there are wonderful opportunities ahead of us which I am keen to seize upon.

 “As a progressive, forward thinking London school, we must prepare our students to meet the challenges that lie beyond life at Villiers.

“We want our students to leave our school ready to take hold of the opportunities offered by living on the doorstep of one of the greatest cities in the world.”

Mr Masterson says the school has already embarked on a new programme aimed at encouraging personal development.

He added: “It is our job to help every child understand the benefits of being able to do things for themselves and to be able to rely on themselves to succeed, knowing they have our support and expertise.

“We want our students not only to succeed academically but also to become well rounded, competent and confident learners with the skills to achieve on their own.

He also reassured parents who may be concerned about a change in leadership halfway through the academic year.

He added: “I can assure parents and the wider community that we remain on track for a very successful year at Villiers, and we are working tirelessly with all of our exam classes in Year 11 and in our Sixth Form.

“We have an excellent student body, very supportive families and a strong desire in the community to make Villiers the secondary school of choice for Southall. 

“We also have a team of skilled, professional and dedicated teachers at both senior and middle leadership level, who are determined to continue to take this school forward.

 “I am very keen to engage as much as possible with parents and families. This is why we are now holding weekly Headteacher’s Surgeries every week on Friday.

“Parents are most welcome to contact the school if they would like to arrange a visit and I look forward to working very closely with a community I have enjoyed working in for over two decades.”