Struggling Elliott School in Putney is to be led for two terms by a top-performing headteacher from another local school.

Margaret Peacock, currently headteacher at Chestnut Grove School in Balham, will replace Sharon Ferrell, who resigned after a critical Ofsted inspection.

Under Mrs Peacock’s 19-year headship, Chestnut Grove became one of the best schools in the borough, and she hopes to steer Elliott in the same direction.

Starting on June 1, she will spend four days of her week at Elliott until a permanent headteacher can be found.

She said: “I can't walk on water - it's a short time. But I hope that I will be able to give some support to help it get back on its feet.

“It's been a good school. There's no reason why it shouldn't come back up quickly, and I'd like to be a part of it. All Wandsworth children deserve a good education.”

She added she was “confident” Chestnut Grove would not suffer as she has robust senior teachers.

Last week the official Ofsted report was published into why inspectors considered Elliott to be failing and requiring special measures.

They pointed to inadequate leadership, low staff morale, underachievement, poor behaviour and class disruption- although the sixth form was deemed good.

In March, teachers took a vote of no confidence in school leadership and in April they threatened strike action over staffing restructuring.

Under the special measures, Elliott will form a partnership with the high-performing Graveney school in Tooting and a team of experts will replace the school’s governing body.

Mrs Peacock will return to Chestnut Grove after two terms, but until then deputy headteacher Chris Kingsley will take over as acting head.

Mrs Peacock said: “I'm sure that I will learn a lot from Elliott and from my new experience at Elliott - and Chestnut Grove must itself benefit from that.”

Chestnut Grove was rated outstanding by Ofsted in 2008 and pupil progress rate is considered to be among the best in the country.

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