The surprise departure this week of Southport KGV College principal Adele Wills is the subject of a short news video by local journalist Martin Hovden.

In an online message to parents released on Tuesday, chairman of college governors Julian McInerney revealed vice-principal Anne-Marie Francis has been promoted to the role of principal as from next week – replacing Adele Wills (pictured).



He praised the work of Anne-Marie Francis but made no mention of the efforts or achievements of Adele Wills during her time in charge.

The college is refusing to say whether Adele Wills volunteered to resign or if she was pushed. This lack of an explanation has led to a great deal of speculation in the town, especially when this time last year college bosses were claiming the worst was over as far as their poor Ofsted reports were concerned.

Martin, who presents Live Sounds for Mighty Southport Radio, explained: “I was invited to the opening of KGV's new arts building (pictured) last June to film a short video for Channel 1 Southport, my online community TV station.



“It was a very positive occasion, complete with excerpts from Grease, a college band and tours round the building's facilities.

“I interviewed principal Adele Wills and Julian McInerney. Both were keen to stress the new arts facility was symbolic of the college's determined efforts to put the negative Ofsted reports behind them and look to the future.

“It's very interesting to see what they had to say last year, especially Mr. McInerney. He claimed the college had turned a corner. He also said people were seeing the return of outstanding teaching to the college.

“And this week he used a very similar phrase when referring to Anne-Marie Francis when he said: 'As vice principal Anne-Marie has been an inspiring and driving force in rapidly moving the college forward in its journey back to its rightful place as an outstanding college'.”

Martin added: “After re-watching the interviews I did last year at the college, you can see why I called the video What a Difference A Year Makes At KGV.”

McInerney and his predecessor Rostron were told every academic year starting five years ago by the amazing staff that were there then, that the college was going down the wrong path under her leadership. Due to the lack of action or communication from the Board of Governors, a personal letter was written on behalf of the staff (teaching and non-teaching) identifying specific points of failures and U turns made by this Principle. The conclusion of the letter requested that the principal be removed from post and money be invested on an experienced professional “super head” to get the college back on course to outstanding. Of course this was ignored and a purge of staff commenced, resulting in about 70% of the amazing staff that were there then, moving on, mostly to the college’s competitors. Good riddance, and good luck KGV, hope you get back to where you belong