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Jul 2022

Last Updated: 14/07/2022

Education

St Aidan's in Harrogate appoints interim head

by Thomas Barrett

| 14 Jul, 2022

David Thornton will be the school's third headteacher in the last 12 months.

St Aidan's Church of England High School has appointed an interim headteacher who will start in September.

David Thornton, an experienced head who has led five schools, will join the school on a temporary basis until a permanent appointment is made. He will be the school's third headteacher in the last 12 months.

Mr Thornton will replace Chris Ives, who has been acting head since Chris Burt left in December 2021 due to health reasons.

Mr Ives has been offered a post as head of an international school in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Mr Thornton will spend some time at St Aidan's before the summer holidays start. A school spokesperson said he does not want to be considered for the role permanently and it will be recruiting for another headteacher.

St Aidan’s school in Harrogate receives ‘good’ Ofsted rating

St Aidan’s new 3G pitch set to be open until 8pm

Yesterday, St Aidan's announced it had received a 'good' rating from Ofsted after being rated 'inadequate' in January.

The previous report was critical of the school's leadership and management but the latest report said leaders "have acted swiftly to address the concerns raised at the previous inspection".

St Aidan's has shared with the Stray Ferret a letter its governors sent to parents about the change in leadership. It says:

"Mr Thornton is a very experienced head and teacher of history who has led five schools in his career. From establishing a new school in County Durham to supporting the development of new school leaders while in interim roles, his expertise and experience shone throughout the process. We have every confidence that he will be an excellent addition to our school community.

"Alongside his impressive track record, most recently at a school in the south east, Mr Thornton also demonstrated the values that are so important to St Aidan’s. One line from his application really stood out to us, and he evidenced throughout our discussions that he wants to be, 'Of service to young people and their community and deliver an outstanding inspirational educational experience for all.'

"We remain enormously grateful to Mr Ives for all that he continues to do as acting headteacher. During this extraordinary year he has led the school in a calm and purposeful manner which has undoubtedly been of significant benefit to staff and students alike. While we know Mr Ives will be hugely missed by us all, we are also excited to be welcoming Mr Thornton to St Aidan’s."

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St Aidan's in Harrogate appoints interim head

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