THE town hall is preparing to use special powers as a "rescue raft" to fix failing schools.

It will issue these schools with a "notice of concern" which allows the local education authority to take control and make leadership changes.

An interim executive board would manage budgets, curriculum and staffing until new headteachers and governors are put in place.

Cllr Tamoor Tariq, who is responsible for the schools portfolio, said he expects action to be taken on at least one school in a matter of months.

He said: “Some schools have been in concern for a very long time but for some reason we have decided not to take any action. I think we are at a point now where we can no longer do that. I don’t think the local education authority has been strong enough in taking an interventionist approach when needed. I think we do need to use our intervention powers now."

The newly-appointed cabinet member for children and families assured a scrutiny committee that the decision will not be taken lightly.

The Labour councillor promised education officers would act "sensitively" and have discussions with headteachers, governors and unions beforehand.

The local authority will have to make a strong case for issuing a notice of concern before it takes any action, according to Cllr Tariq.

He said: “We have let down generations of families. It’s a position that I feel, as a cabinet member, I can’t defend.

"We have failed to use intervention powers in the past. We would shy away from doing that. But I’m confident in the new academic year, you will hear about some action.”

Councillors agreed a plan to improve education standards proposed by the Conservatives at a meeting last week.

This comes as Bury has dropped down education rankings over the last decade.

Secondary schools have seen a 15 per cent dip against the North West since 2015 and two fell below government standards last year.

The council’s new education chief, Julien Kramer, has outlined the local authority’s strategy on improving schools in the borough.

This includes intervention when required, although the overall approach will be to promote a school-led system.

The interim assistant director for education and inclusion, who has worked to transform education standards in 11 other authorities so far, expects to see significant improvements in the next two years.

He said: “We're not doing as well as we need to. There’s no point in beating around the bush. This is about the authority becoming more strategic and asking head teachers to work more systematically. It will be about partnerships working."

He described using intervention powers as a "rescue raft" for failing schools but Cllr Susan Southworth said it sounds more like a "baseball bat".

Mr Kramer said: “It’s not intended to be punitive. It’s not intended to be bullying. It’s a last resort."

“Many schools recover with support and some challenges. But if it’s not been working for three, four, five years, we know we have to do something slightly different."