A head teacher has become one of a select few in the country to be chosen to support "failing" schools.

Alex Green, of Abington High School, in Wigston, is one of about 100 secondary heads who is now on-call to help schools turn around problems associated with low exam results, poor behaviour and teacher morale.

So-called superheads – officially known as National Leaders of Education (NLEs) – also welcome teachers from other schools into their classrooms to help spread good practice.

Mr Green said there was no quick fix to improving schools but much depended on everyone contributing to a positive ethos.

He said: "There can be a million and one reasons why a school is in difficult circumstances.

"But a school has to be very clear about what it is about. There has to be high standards and self-discipline. Adults have to be good role models.

"It takes time to build relationships in a school but if you communicate clear messages people have confidence in you.

"I'm really delighted for everybody at the school, who work incredibly hard."

NLEs often work with schools where fewer than 30 per cent of pupils achieve five GCSEs at grade C or above including English and maths – known as National Challenge schools.

There are four National Challenge schools in Leicester – New College, in New Parks; Fullhurst College, in Braunstone; Riverside College, in Rowley Fields, and Babington College, in Beaumont Leys – and one in Leicestershire, William Bradford College, in Earl Shilton.

Abington pupils said they were proud of their school's recognition, now known as a National Support School.

Joseph Castle, 14, said: "It's a great environment with friendly teachers and a good standard of teaching.

"There's good communication between teachers and pupils. I love it here."

Classmate Megan Downes, 14, said: "Mr Green is a great headmaster.

"He always speaks to us the right way and that makes the school a really nice place to be."

Mr Green joins Inderjit Sandhu, the head of Launde Primary School, in Oadby, Kathryn Vipond, of the Meadow Community Primary School, in Wigston, Chris Hassall, of Taylor Road Primary School, in St Matthew's, Leicester, and Carolyn Robson, of Rushey Mead Secondary School, in Leicester, as NLEs in Leicester and Leicestershire.

The heads of three special schools – Lynne Slinger, of Forest Way, in Coalville, Tony Smith, of Dorothy Goodman, in Hinckley, and Christopher Bruce, of Keyham Lodge, in Leicester – have also been given the status.

Geoff Hall, the chairman of governors at Abington, said: "I am pleased that Abington has been given the status of National Support School.

"I, and all the governors, are very proud to say that Abington's success continues."