Reading Comprehension B1 + Marks

Elaine Atkins, head teacher of Abbot Hill School in Manchester, has turned one of the worst schools in the country into one of the best. Ollie Dawson finds out how she did it.

What is Elaine’s occupation?

Elaine Atkins, head teacher of Abbot Hill School in Manchester, has turned one of the worst schools in the country into one of the best. Ollie Dawson finds out how she did it.

Who is Ollie Dawson?

Three years ago, Abbot Hill School had a dreadful reputation. Teachers didn't want to work there. Parents didn't want to send their children there. The pupils - as seen by the number of children who regularly played truant from school - clearly didn't want to go there. It was a failing school, and a school failing the community. Then Elaine Atkins was appointed head teacher. …. So how has she achieved the impossible?

Read the article again. The sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences the one which fits each gap:

'It actually wasn't that difficult,' says Elaine with her usual modesty. 'Theschool was in such a bad state that no one - not the parents, not the students, not the teachers - valued anything about it. That made it much easier for an outsider to come in and say, " … We're going to do it differently." And I did have a lot of help too.'

Choose from the sentences the one which fits each gap:

One of the first things Elaine did was call a meeting of all the students, staff and parents. 'Not all of them came, of course, but it was actually very well attended. That's when I realised I had a chance. They hadn't given up completely.' She told them some of the things which she wanted to change and put some key issues to the vote. …. I said: "If I introduce a school uniform, will you support me?" The vast majority said they would.

Choose from the sentences the one which fits each gap:

Elaine believes in things like school uniforms. 'It's all about creating an environment where there's discipline and a sense of pride. When I took over, Abbot Hill was out of control.

Children were being bullied, and no one stopped the bullies. …. A uniform is a symbol that there are limits and that we're all part of the same community.'

Choose from the sentences the one which fits each gap:

Elaine is convinced that discipline is central to students' learning. 'How can they learn anything if there's chaos in the classroom? … We've managed to bring that back to Abbot Hill, and it's clearly working. Students are now leaving the school with the qualifications they need. That never happened before. Of course, some students still get in trouble. Children always will. But they know what the rules are, and they know they'll be enforced. There's much less bullying now.'

Choose from the sentences the one which fits each gap:

It's not all about punishment and discipline, though. Elaine has also introduced a large number of after-class activities. 'Everyone used to go home after the last lesson. Now, there are a huge number of things which the students can choose from. None of them are compulsory, so the students don't feel they're being forced to do them. …. You name it - we offer it! We also have regular school trips, which are educational and a lot of fun. Some parents come on them too, and that's a great way for us all to get to know each other better. I've always believed that the better you know someone, the easier it is to work together.'

Choose from the sentences the one which fits each gap:

I wondered what the students thought of their head teacher and the things which she'd done. Sharon Tucker, 16, who I met outside the school gates, summed up the mood of all the students: 'I used to hate coming to this school. I dreaded it every single morning. Now, I look forward to coming. …. Mrs Atkins has changed all our lives. We owe her a lot.'

Choose from the sentences the one which fits each gap: