Pupils at Maryport's Netherhall School are having extra maths and English lessons as their new headteacher strives to get them ready for future employment.

David Tromans, 48, has just been made permanent head of the school. 

He was acting headteacher since the beginning of the year.

He has stated his intention to ensure that students would have time to devote to the core subjects that would provide students with the qualifications they most needed once they left school.

He said: "Employers want people with good grades in literacy and numeracy. I want to see a rise in the level of A* to B in key subjects."

He has initiated a programme where every student receives two more hours a week in maths and English learning.

He added: "We are already seeing the results. This is going to benefit students this year and not just in the future.

"Every student is entitled to fulfil his or her potential. Students at this school are as entitled as anyone to achieving A* at GCSE level and we want to make sure they have the time to learn."

Mr Tromans said students would also be given more extra curriculum opportunities.

He said in the end, it would be the staff who ensured the success of students.

He added: "Teachers are the key. If they are enthusiastic the students respond. We understand how important teachers are in reflecting the behaviour of children."

He said he had the utmost confidence in Netherhall staff who were committed to the students they taught.

He added: "I have also had three parent evenings since I have been here. I am delighted at how supportive parents are and how they recognise and appreciate how hard the teaching staff work here.

"They verbalise it all the time and that is not necessarily common practice elsewhere."