HE was the original superhead, spearheading initiatives to raise standards in education, some which would later go on to adopted nationally.

Now John Baumber, the former principal of Rivington and Blackrod High School is back in Bolton, to head-up a new centre to tackle inequality in education.

The International Centre for Educational Enhancement (ICEE), launched by the University of Bolton, aims to be a centre of excellence for school improvement, leadership and system reform in education ­— areas in which Mr Baumber worked to bring about change.

He said: “What we know works well in addressing issues in education such as inequality is great teaching and learning, the best instructional leadership and practices that personalise learning so students are engaged with their learning so they feel valued.

“The Centre is unique in that it sits in between policy, research and practice and what we learn from research we can use to make a huge difference in school leadership and improvement.

“The University of Bolton has a strong agenda on social mobility and it is absolutely critical in the North West.

“I work with schools across the UK and see the impact that Covid-19 has had and in places line Norfolk and Cornwall it is almost none.

"However, in the North West of England there are hundreds of pupils missing out on education because whole year groups are having to self-isolate.“

The centre will launch with a webinar entitled ‘Mission Possible: Why fixing educational inequalities is the key to post-pandemic recovery?’ on Tuesday November 24.

The online seminar will feature two of the world’s leading educational thinkers, Professor David Hopkins and Professor Pasi Sahlberg.

Mr Baumber, who since leaving Rivington and Blackrod High School has across the globe, said: “We are very lucky to have such experienced and knowledgeable guests for the webinar.

“We welcome head teachers, school professionals, Directors of Education, governors and politicians to attend what I am sure will be a fascinating session.

“Given the challenges we are all facing and the impact they have had on various sectors of our communities, we will be exploring what we can learn that might help schools and colleges come back to a better to more equitable and stronger future.”

To register for the webinar, visit: https://bolton.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R55rGHWxQhG4Ax_7FVCOWA