and the school, which had been heavily oversubscribed a few years previously was sliding in popularity and there were considerable parental concerns. Deputy Headteacher, Ann Southgate, was appointed Headteacher in September 2009, but had insufficient time to turn the school round for the Inspection in December, which found it failing and placed it in Special Measures. Her 'tireless' efforts to raise standards were commended but "There has been too little time for initiatives to have an impact on inadequate teaching, low achievement and unsatisfactory behaviour". Just over a year later, a fresh Report states: "A determined headteacher, very well supported by her senior team, has focused sharply on improving weaker aspects of the schools provision. Accurate self-evaluation is based upon rigorous new systems that are effectively implemented by leaders at all levels. Clear priorities for improvement flow from evaluation, and all staff share a determination to secure them. Effective leadership of teaching and learning has seen them move from inadequate to satisfactory overall since the previous inspection. The majority of teaching is now good or better, with decreasing amounts that are satisfactory or inadequate". It is evident that the original failure of the school was due to a failure of leadership, but in this case the problem was solved with less stress than many. Most Reports on OFSTED failed schools place a considerable amount of blame on leadership but whose? Most often it is leadership from the top, but unpaid, volunteer Governors have critical responsibility. However, too many are in thrall to the headteacher, unwilling to challenge until it's too late. On the other hand, soemtimes power hungry Governing Bodies can ruin schools and headteachers - and there are plenty of examples of these around also (a good  friend of mine who has achieved an Outstanding OFSTED Report for his school is now being destroyed by one of these). The Local Authority has spent considerable sums of money monitoring school standards, and yet too many are still failing.  I do not believe that the current rush to academy status will ease this dilemma, rather we shall see more examples - already two local Academies have lost their leaders, in pre-emptive strikes to head off trouble. It has been said that the job security of a headteacher is moving towards that of a football manager (but usually without the rewards), hardly an incentive for future leaders to come forward. As far as St George's is concerned, the original OFSTED Report may have been unnecessary, although the new Report shows that being placed in Special Measures has led to many new initiatives by Governors and staff to improve standards. Would these have happened otherwise? A major fall out for the school is the dramatic fall in popularity which will create financial pressures for several years yet.