Headteacher leaves top job at The Discovery Academy
THE headteacher of a Stoke-on-Trent academy school is leaving his job after just two years.
Rob Ridout's last day at The Discovery Academy will be on October 31. Pupils will then return from their half-term holidays to find an acting principal in charge.
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Rob Ridout
It is believed that he made the decision to stand down for personal reasons.
He was appointed as principal designate in September 2010 and oversaw the development of the academy, which opened the following year.
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The school got off to a controversial start as campaigners had fought to block the merger of Edensor Technology College, in Longton, and Mitchell Business and Enterprise College, in Bucknall.
But Mr Ridout, below, is credited with helping to bring the two school communities together, and the academy's governing body paid tribute to his work.
In a statement, Mr Ridout said: "I have been delighted to be instrumental in the establishment of The Discovery Academy.
"It has been a pleasure to see the positive reaction of students to the changes we have made and to the exciting plans now in place for the future. I would like to thank staff, students and parents for their support and encouragement."
Ian Hamilton, current headteacher of Westwood College, in Leek, will take over as acting principal at the Stoke-on-Trent school next month.
Mr Hamilton said he was "excited" to take up the new challenge.
It comes after Keith Hollins, executive principal of Westwood and three other schools in the Moorlands, began offering support to The Discovery Academy to help raise standards.
Mr Hollins, who was drafted in through his role as a national leader of education, will continue to offer his support to the school.
Governors are expected to appoint a permanent replacement for Mr Ridout in time for September 2013, when the academy moves into its new building in Bentilee.
Sarah Robinson, chairman of governors, said: "We are very pleased with the way Rob has got the new academy off to such a good start. Following the amalgamation of the two predecessor schools, and the formation of the academy in September 2011, we have successfully established the school with its own identity and values."
Ms Robinson said the scene was now set for 'a new chapter in the school's development'.
It is understood Mr Ridout, who previously worked as a head in Herefordshire, had been commuting to North Staffordshire.
Meanwhile, Westwood College has appointed Richard Hey as its acting head.
Comments
by Caspercaper
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 3:59PM
“Another member of Sarah Robinson's senior management team leaving for "personal reasons" is there a pattern appearing here?????? Check out the number of management re-structures at the many organisations Ms Robinson is involved in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by muzzer57
Friday, October 26 2012, 4:47PM
“Lets give the school a new wonderful name that should sort things out.”
by wnqwnbwacfsot
Friday, October 26 2012, 3:56PM
“The exam results of the Discovery academy this summer were worse than the previous year's exam results of either of the predecessor schools. This is a first in that NO other academy in the country has performed less well than the schools they were formed from.
As part of the formation of the academy 45 members of staff were removed from the staffing structure of the academy despite the fact that ALL were guaranteed employment by the chair of Governors SARAH ROBINSON. Some through career progression to other jobs in different schools but a significant number through bullying, compulsory redundancy and the threats of concocted capability issues.
Mr Ridout was central to this 'reorganising' of the workforce and has reduced the wage bill significantly for which Ms Robinson is no doubt grateful.
Poor leadership and lack of motivation of staff have led to examination underperformance and demoralisation with many staff taking any opportunity to leave. Stoke On Trent Labour councillors, who created this mess in the face of opposition from parents and the staff of both predecessor schools should remember the old adage: 'don't fix what aint broke'.”
by dAlbarn
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 10:28PM
“As previously stated, a convenient cover story, Mr Ridout was a universally despised figure obsessed more with his own career progression than creating a productive environment for pupils to learn, the man made enemies and it is good to see that he has now been removed from his position before he had the opportunity to cause any more damage to the reputation of the previously tolerable Edensor Technology College and Mitchell. the previous head of Edensor had his faults, and lord knows they're well publicised, but he always put his staff and the pupils first before all else, and wasn't so easily led by personal greed and pressure from private sponsors.
Good Riddance.”
by zazza1
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 5:17PM
“A very convenient cover story. Leaving in the middle of the term is very suspicious, is it more a case of being pushed but needing to keep the public attitude positive at the crucial time of the year when us parents are deciding where to send our kids?
It hardly looks good if the schools head leaves for anything other than "personal" reasons as the letter we received home stated.
Also as far as commuting, if this is true why have I seen him around Biddulph in the middle of the week?”