New head aims to ‘raise bar’ at schools
THE NEW executive headteacher of two North Yorkshire primary schools is aiming “to raise the bar” when they join forces this September.
Richard Wright, headteacher of Settle CE primary school, will become the executive headteacher of both Settle and Kirkby Malham primary schools, where he was previously headteacher.
The two schools will join in a formal collaborative partnership to become a federation with a shared headteacher.
As well as reduced class sizes, from September there will be a new class and teacher at the Kirkby Malham school – famously described by author Bill Bryson, whose children attended during Mr Wright’s tenure, as the “greatest small school in the universe”.
A new after-school club, also starting this autumn, will target personalised specialist learning of information and communication technology, music and modern foreign languages.
Mr Wright said he was delighted at the prospect of his new role.
He added: “We have exciting plans for both schools and it is time to raise the bar when it comes to what can be achieved in rural schools.
“I’m delighted to return to where I first started as a headteacher 17 years ago and to serve as the executive headteacher of two amazing schools.”
During his time at Kirkby Malham the school was awarded government Achievement Awards and was praised by Ofsted.
The school was nationally considered to be one of the top 30 small schools by a national newspaper.
Since the decision was formalised in June, Mr Wright has hit the ground running with ambitious plans to transform learning at Kirkby Malham.
Mr Wright said: “I look forward to our schools growing from strength to strength and evolving into a flagship North Yorkshire school.”