WINSFORD secondary schools have a new leader who aims to get the best out of pupils.

Formerly head and deputy head of the Verdin High School, in Grange Lane, Martin Howlett is the principal headteacher of the Winsford High School Federation.

Mr Howlett says he holds three values by which he wants pupils and teachers to work - fairness, respect and support - and he has been busy trying to impart these.

He said: "I'm passionate about education and it has to be done in the right way for children to learn. You have to set high standards for staff and students so that they can achieve the best in life. It's all about working with the whole community to get things moving forward."

Mr Howlett has vast experience in education, having worked in secondary schools in Tarporley, Ellesmere Port, Neston and London.

He has also run a number of national teaching and learning initiatives, including developing specialist diplomas of engineering and manufacturing of product design over the last four years.

He will oversee two new site headteachers - Paul Harrington, who starts this week at Verdin High School, and John Foreman, who will be in charge at Woodford Lodge School from September.

Mr Howlett added: "A team of three people who work on education in the town gives you more flexibilty with timetabling and what you can teach. This way the strength of both schools can come together.

"Winsford is known nationally for its education and I have had an excellent response from teachers and students to the scheme."