The Sixth Form College Association (SFCA) has appointed Bill Watkin, currently operational director at the Schools, Students and Teachers Network (SSAT), as its new chief executive.
Mr Watkin will join the SFCA on April 18, following the retirement of current chief executive David Igoe. Mr Watkin will leave the SSAT after 10 years, where he led its work on the academies programme, developing policy and supporting academy leaders. The SFCA’s decision to appoint a new leader from the schools sector follows the announcement that its members will be allowed to apply to become academies for the first time.
An advocate for educational excellence
SFCA chair Eddie Playfair, principal of Newham Sixth Form College, said: “Following a successful recruitment process, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Bill Watkin as our new chief executive. Bill is a great advocate for educational excellence and social justice and he has the vision, skills and experience to help lead our sector through what will certainly be a period of significant change. We are confident that he will be a great champion for our work and will help us make an even more significant contribution to the educational landscape.”
Mr Watkin started his career as a teacher of modern foreign languages in secondary schools after which he became a national consultant on the curriculum.
He said: “This is a very exciting time for the Sixth Form Colleges’ Association and I am looking forward to working with member colleges across the country to ensure that their outstanding work is recognised and celebrated and that they continue to play a vital role in leading system-wide improvements across all phases of education.”
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