Catherine Lewis is to become the new head of the Russett School in Weaverham, Cheshire. The special school caters for three to 19-year-olds with severe, profound and complex learning difficulties and disabilities. Mrs Lewis is currently head of Heathfield School, a special school in Stoke-on-Trent. She will begin her new role at the Russett School and multi-sensory unit this September.
Chris Turner is to leave Brixham College, Devon, to become executive head of Winton Arts College and Glenmoor School in Bournemouth this September. Mark Eager will then become principal of Brixham College. He is currently deputy head at Wyedean School and Sixth Form Centre in Chepstow and associate head of Heywood Community School in the Forest of Dean.
Sue Demont, principal of Hampton Community College, has been appointed principal-designate of the new academy at Hampton, the first of five planned for the UK to be sponsored by Swedish learning provider Kunskapsskolan. She began her teaching career in Richmond and taught in the London boroughs of Lewisham, Wandsworth and Camden. She was promoted to deputy head at South Camden Community School before returning to Richmond in 2005 as principal of Hampton Community College.
Geraint Roberts is retiring as head of Ysgol Y Strade in Llanelli, south Wales, after 12 years. He will become a consultant head with Carmarthenshire local authority. Mr Roberts began his career as a geography teacher at Gwendraeth Grammar in Drefach, Llanelli, where he became head of department. He later became head of humanities at Ysgol Gyfun Ddwyieithog Maes Yr Yrfa, Cross Hands. In 1986, he was appointed deputy head at Lampeter Comprehensive, Ceredigion, before taking up his current role. He is to be replaced by Heather Lewis, deputy head of Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen.
Philip Walters will become non-executive chairman of Rising Stars UK, an independent educational publishing company, this August. Mr Walters, former chief executive of Hodder Education, succeeds David Fulton, who has held the position for the past four years. Mr Fulton will remain a director of the company, known for special needs and gifted and talented resources and now the third largest publisher of assessment materials in the UK.
Christopher Baker is to become the new chair of the Training and Development Agency for Schools in September. His role will be to support and challenge the executive to ensure the agency fulfils its responsibilities. Mr Baker has senior-level experience in business. He has chaired the national steering group for Partners in Leadership and is a member of the governing council for the National College for School Leadership. He is also chair of Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Daniel Bent, a teacher at St John’s School in Richmond, is about to hop on his bike and ride 9,000 miles to India to raise money for charity. Fresh from his victory in the World Bog Snorkelling Triathlon - where he also set a world record - Mr Bent will be cycling to Vidyodaya School in Chembakolli, India, where he will do volunteer work as a teacher during his gap year from teaching in the UK. He will ride an average of 55 miles a day, nearly every day for six months.
