school striving to build up the confidence of staff and pupils, a Principal stated yesterday.

Mrs. Carol Bassett, principal of Northlands Secondary School, was speaking following criticism by a former teacher of the way the school was run.

The ex-teacher claimed discipline at the school had plummeted with disruptive children going unpunished and assault charges filed for the first time against children by teachers.

Eleven teachers had left the school, said the former employee, in the last year -- since Mrs. Bassett was appointed principal.

However, Mrs. Bassett said: "I think sometimes people aim to be malicious rather than to be helpful in working with us.

"If your goal is to solve these problems then your aim would be to work together to build up rather than to pull down.'' She added: "Teachers at the school say pupils are arriving this year with a positive attitude and are working extremely hard. They also say any problems at the school are not unique to Northlands.'' Teachers say there is "peace'' at the school with students working hard to learn. Staff are determined to make the school work and feel its image is unfair.

As part of the drive towards improving community spirit within the school all staff -- ranging from teachers to janitors -- took part in workshops last week.

Although the move was criticised by some parents because it meant closing the school for four days, teachers said the workshops were extremely helpful. They stressed, also, the workshops were first discussed last year.

Mr. Chris Hocking, a teacher, said: "The workshops pulled together the strengths of the teachers and combined them to effectively deliver the curriculum.

"They were also to help solve any conflicts that may arise. Conflicts that may arise between the staff and in the classroom.

"We have been hard done by with our image. We do not have more problems than other secondary schools on the Island,'' he added.

As part of the workshops, posters depicting positive images were also hung in the school's gym for pupils to see and read.

Mr. Hocking added: "We are trying to harness a positive attitude and put the children in a positive environment to give the pupils a positive image of themselves.'' He added: "We cannot say we don't have problems, but we are not unique. We have reached a level, but we want to raise that level whereby everyone, when they enter the gate, has a positive feeling.

"Everything we do here must be for the students. We want to create a positive and creative environment.'' posters set up in the school's gym.