A NEWLY-APPOINTED secondary school headteacher spent her first day at work being quizzed by councillors.

Kate Williams appeared before the city council’s children, young people and skills committee meeting yesterday on her first day as headteacher at Longhill High School.

The newly-appointed head told councillors she believed the school had the potential to be outstanding in discussions of a recent Ofsted inspection which graded the school as requiring improvement for the second time.

She replaces former head Haydn Stride, who left the Falmer Road school in November after eight years in the post citing “personal reasons”.

Mr Stride challenged an earlier Ofsted report in November 2014 but his appeal was turned down by the educational watchdog.

Ms Williams said she would be bringing 20 years of experience in the industry to the post and would focus on “closing the gap” for disadvantaged students, pupil behaviour and teaching of mathematics.

She said work was already under way to address issues highlighted in April’s Ofsted inspection, including clear staff guidance to address pupils’ behavioural problems and improving community links with parents.

The head added she had experience of being part of previous leadership teams in turning around schools.

Ms Williams added: “I have been really impressed with Longhill from my interview day and visits I made in April.

“My feeling is there is massive potential for Longhill to be an outstanding school and to be a successful school.”