The head teacher of one of the biggest schools in Hove is to leave to become the executive principal of an academy trust.
Rob Reed is leaving Hove Park School at Easter to join Aldridge Education where he will be responsible for its local cluster of schools.
They are the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA), the Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) and the university technical college, UTC@harbourside, in Newhaven, which is co-sponsored by Brighton University.
Mr Reed said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed to this post. As a local head teacher, I have observed first hand the superb work of the trust in Brighton and Hove.
“I am tremendously excited at the prospect of contributing to the trust’s impressive record of providing excellent education that gives young people the skills and qualifications they need.”
Hove Park School said: “We are delighted to announce that Jim Roberts will take up the interim post of acting head teacher. Jim has been at the heart of the many successes of the school over the last few years.”
Mr Roberts is an accredited and experienced Ofsted inspector and the school said that it was “fortunate to have such a capable and experienced leader who will ensure that the school continues to go from strength to strength”.
The school added: “Rob will formally leave the school at Easter. Between the February half term and Easter, Jim and Rob will work together as co-head teachers of the school.
“This gives the school a unique opportunity to ensure a highly effective and smooth transition.
“We would like to thank Rob for his hard work and for driving Hove Park School even further forward. We wish him all the best in his new role.”
Aldridge Education said: “The new role was advertised nationally in December, attracting a strong field of candidates.
“The appointment follows an interview process involving students, staff and governors at all three schools earlier this week.
“As executive principal, Rob Reed will be working with the principals – Dylan Davies, Katie Scott and Adanma Umunna – to build on the successes of the schools to date.
“This will include helping them to further develop joint working and sharing specialist resources for the benefit of all Aldridge students locally, growing the regional cluster and further strengthening relationships with other schools, the local authority, the business community and other key stakeholders.”
Mr Reed joined Hove Park School as head teacher in September 2015, taking over from Derek Trimmer, who also left to become the executive head of a group of academies.
Aldridge Education chief executive Chris Tweedale said: “Rob has a very strong track record as a school leader and in building partnerships that bring real benefits to his schools and their students.
“He also brings his excellent knowledge of Brighton and the Sussex region to complement that of our existing principals. This is a very exciting appointment for us.
“We are very ambitious for our schools locally. UTC@harbourside in its second year and is building its reputation for science, technology, engineering and maths.
“Both PACA and BACA have recently been recognised as good in every category by Ofsted and are in a great position to be recognised as outstanding in future.
“Rob will work with each of the schools to continue to improve the education we offer to all of our young people across the community and will also be working with other head teachers and governors who wish to explore joining our growing trust.”
Aldridge Education said that Mr Reed had successfully led Hove Park School through an Ofsted inspection last October and to achieving Apple Distinguished School status in November.
It also became a “teaching school” in November – in association with four other secondary schools. This gives it a key role in training the teachers of tomorrow, supporting other schools and developing those staff with the potential to become head teachers.
Aldridge Education said: “He played a central role in the successful bid by five local schools to establish a teaching school alliance.
“Prior to joining Hove Park he was head teacher at Chessington Community College in Kingston, led the Hillsyde Federation of Schools in South London and held deputy and assistant head teacher roles at a school in Tower Hamlets.”
