THE new headteacher of Colchester’s largest secondary school has vowed to elevate its Ofsted rating to “outstanding”.

Catherine Hutley, 34, beat 20 competitors to become Philip Morant’s £100,000 head of school.

Miss Hutley, currently deputy headteacher at the Colne Community School and College, Brightlingsea, has spent the last nine months working two days a week at Philip Morant, to help drive up standards.

The 1,600-pupil school was told by inspectors last year it “required improvement”.

Miss Hutley, 34, said: “It is a fresh start, which is exactly what this school needs, but it is not an unknown teacher coming into a blank canvas.

“I have had nine months’ induction, which gives us the footing to move incredibly quickly to Outstanding.”

Miss Hutley said she wanted the school given the top rating – two grades higher than its current one – by 2018 at the latest.

Miss Hutley also admitted tackling bullying would be a “huge priority” when she starts the job this September.

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