PRINCIPAL DESIGNATE APPOINTED TO LEAD PROPOSED KINGS PRIORY SCHOOL

Woodard Academies Trust, sponsor of the proposed Kings Priory School, has appointed David Dawes as Principal Designate.

The appointment was made following a rigorous recruitment process, which saw an impressive calibre of candidates applying for what is a new post.

David Bilton, chief executive of Woodard Academies Trust, said: “Following the proposed merger, Kings Priory School will be a large school encompassing pupils aged 4-19. Bringing together two individual schools, with complementary but different cultures, will require particular skills and ability. The new Principal will be the overarching leader of the entire school.”

He added: “We hope to be able to announce further senior appointments in the coming months. We anticipate that each of the two phases of the school will be led by an experienced, professional leader currently employed in the predecessor schools. The new staffing structure will obviously be subject to consultation under the Transfer of Undertakings and Protection of Employment legislation. Further details will be provided as soon as possible.”

Mr Dawes, 45, is the current Vice Principal, Academic, of Bede , Blyth, which oversees the education of 1,700 pupils aged 3-18. A Cambridge graduate and former Army captain, he worked in industry, management consultancy and investment management, before qualifying as a maths teacher at the London Institute of Education. Previous teaching posts include Assistant Headteacher at JFS School in Harrow, which in 2008 was acclaimed by The Times newspaper as England’s top performing ‘non- selective’ school. ENDS

Notes to editors: The Department of Education has endorsed plans for a new school to be established following the proposed merger of leading , The King’s School , and its successful state neighbour, Priory Primary School. It is proposed that the new Kings Priory School will open in September 2013 as a publicly- funded, co-educational independent school for pupils aged 4-19, sponsored and operated by Woodard Academies Trust. Woodard Academies Trust is an education sponsor of four academies across England, dedicated to transforming the lives and futures of young people and the communities it serves. All its academies embrace the Christian ethos, promoting understanding, tolerance and diversity, whilst being open to all faiths and none.

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