Principal designate appointed for proposed Twickenham Academy (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Principal designate appointed for proposed Twickenham Academy

October 7, 2009 6:09 PM

map • RICHMOND Council and sponsor, Kunskapsskolan, have announced Nick Jones as Principal Designate for the proposed Twickenham Academy.

Mr Jones, currently Principal of Cabot Learning Federation in Bristol, will take up his post in January 2010. The Twickenham Academy is scheduled to open, replacing Whitton School, in September 2010. Speaking about the appointment Cllr Malcolm Eady, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education on Richmond Council, said:

"We are very pleased with Nick's appointment. He brings a strong reputation and experience to this important post. With Nick at the proposed academy at Whitton and Sue Demont appointed to lead the proposed academy at Hampton, we are confident that we have the right leadership in place. Subject to the views of local people and Cabinet's decision-making, we look forward to working with our co-sponsors, Kunskapsskolan to turn our plans into reality in 2010. I would also like to thank Phil Davies for all his hard work and continuing dedication as Acting Headteacher of Whitton School."

Commenting on his appointment, Nick Jones said: "It is a great privilege and opportunity to be able to work on such a fantastic initiative. Many of us working in education today recognise and appreciate Kunskapsskolan's modern approach to learning. Here in the UK some of our best schools have introduced similar thematic and competency based teaching approaches. My own school, John Cabot Academy, has had a lot of success in doing so. I am excited to have the chance to share best practice with other schools across the UK."

On making the announcement, Steve Bolingbroke, Managing Director of Kunskapsskolan in the UK, stated: "We are very pleased to have Nick take on the headship of Twickenham Academy. Nick brings more than 30 years of experience of working in the UK school system, including teaching at a range of comprehensives and a 6th form college as well as his proven track record of leadership as Principal of Cabot Learning Federation. He is enthusiastic about our personalised approach to learning. As we have been fortunate enough to have Nick involved in some of Kunskapsskolan's UK curriculum development work, he will help us bring together the best educational practices from the UK and Sweden.

The appointment was made following an open advertisement for the position and a shortlist process to identify final candidates for interview. The interview panel for the position included representatives of Kunskapsskolan, Richmond Council's Department of Education and Children's Services and the Department for Children, Schools and Families as well as an observer representing the Governors of Whitton School.

The proposed Twickenham Academy will open in September 2010 for 1050 students aged 10-16. Each year, the Academy will provide places for up to 210 new students. A full rebuild of the Academy's facilities will be completed by September 2013. In addition to the National Curriculum, the Academy will offer specialisms in Sports and Digital Technologies.

Established in 1999 in Sweden, Kunskapsskolan (the "Knowledge School" in English) has grown rapidly and today operates 30 secondary schools in Sweden, educating over 9,000 students from the age of 12 to 18 years old. Kunskapsskolan's schools in Sweden are independently managed, non-selective and non-fee paying schools. The Company has been selected as preferred sponsor for three academies in England, two in Richmond and one in Ipswich. It plans to open five academies in total.

The Kunskapsskolan model is based on personalised learning, where every pupil follows a long-term learning and attainment plan agreed between the student, teacher and parents. Although focused on a modern, pupil-centered approach to teaching, Kunskapsskolan follows the national curriculum, participates in national tests and conforms to the national assessment system.

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