A HEADTEACHER who discovered his school was to be closed - just weeks after receiving a glowing Ofsted report - has forecast staffing problems.

Within 24 hours of learning the fate of Sladen Middle School, Tom Revell told the Shuttle/Times and News several teachers had told him they intended to look for new jobs.

"I realise the LEA had a difficult decision to make and had to think strategically but, from Sladen's point of view, we've spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on the school and transformed it in the last three years and all that was for nothing," he said.

"My staff are devastated because they are all worried about their employment. Several members of staff have said they are going to go because we can only offer temporary contracts so I'm hoping it's not going to be an exodus of staff from Wyre Forest."

The troubleshooting head was described as an "excellent leader" in the institution's latest Ofsted report and shortlisted for this year's West Midlands Headteacher of the Year Award.

Ofsted inspectors described the school - which came out of special measures in May, 2002 - as "good and effective with significant strengths" and said teaching and learning were good and pupils were extremely well cared for.

"Teachers and teaching assistants know pupils so well that they provide excellent and sensitive care. Over 90 per cent of pupils are proud to wear their uniform and be at the school," the report added.

Mr Revell said the LEA recommendation was "soul destroying".

He added: "I came here to bring the school out of special measures and lead it forward but, as of last night, I'm now in a position of managing decline, which is not what I or any of my staff came in to do," he said.

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing but perhaps I would have had to think twice about taking the job."

He added: "I am determined I - and my staff - to do our very best for the children at the school now. There is going to be tremendous disruption but my job is to make it as smooth as possible, as well as keeping an eye open for other opportunities.

"Recruitment and retainment was difficult before but now it will be impossible because who's going to come forward for a job in a school that's going to be obliterated in two years?" he added.