TWO primary schools, including one put into special measures shortly before the summer holiday, will start the school year with new head teachers who are part of a programme to recruit "super heads."

Rimah Aasim will lead Worth Valley Primary School in Keighley and Joanne Cornelius will take up the role at High Crags Primary School in Shipley.

Both head teachers were recruited through the Talented Leaders Programme, a government scheme to link head teachers with schools in deprived areas.

Mrs Cornelius has worked in a Ministry of Defence school in Germany for 18 years and has a background in special needs education.

In July High Crags, which has a high proportion of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, was put into special measures following a highly critical Ofsted inspection.

The report said the school had failed to meet government targets for attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of year six, and leaders and governors were criticised for being "too slow" to identify weaknesses identified in previous inspections.

Mrs Cornelius said: "I’ve moved to Bradford from a Forces school in Germany because I want to have a positive impact on our children’s education and build a great school.

"My goal is to develop the school into a centre for learning that is at the heart of the local community and a place where we work together to ensure our children receive the very best education possible.

“I look forward to developing an innovative approach to learning that empowers everyone to take a lead in their own learning, and raises their aspiration, attainment and progress."

Worth Valley Primary School, in Bracken Bank Crescent, was told it required improvement in its last two Ofsted inspections.

Mrs Aasim, whose last role was as deputy head teacher at Newall Green Primary School in Greater Manchester, said: "I am looking forward to making a fresh start, providing a new vision of excellence that can be achieved by all children.

"One of the first initiatives will be the PATHS programme - Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies - which gives children confidence to manage their emotions when they feel under pressure, and provides a positive path encouraging them to succeed in life."

She plans to meet with parents on Friday to learn what they want to see happen at the school to improve standards.

As well as working to improve the two schools, the head teachers will work with other schools in Bradford to share knowledge and expertise.

Both of the new recruits have committed to their schools for at least three years and will get £50,000 to invest in the school and staff to make long term improvements.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council's executive member for education, skills and culture, said she was pleased Bradford was working with the Future Leaders Trust.

"We have a large population of young people so it’s vitally important that we focus on attracting the brightest and best to Bradford whilst at the same time nurturing home grown talent," she said.