Dunoon head takes on interim role at Grammar
David Mitchell will be in charge of both schools
The head teacher of Dunoon Grammar School will become interim joint head teacher of both it and Campbeltown Grammar School when current acting head teacher Sam Stewart leaves her position.
In a letter to parents and carers, Argyll and Bute Council’s chief education officer said David Mitchell will take over leadership of Campbeltown Grammar School when Miss Stewart leaves on Friday April 1, ‘taking the school forward in the next phase of its development’.
The letter reads: ‘Over the last six months, the local authority has been working hard to recruit a high-quality head teacher for Campbeltown Grammar School.
‘However, despite national and international advertisement, the recruitment process has not seen the emergence of a candidate with the experience and vision required to continue the school’s journey towards excellence.
‘We are extremely grateful to Miss Stewart, who, as acting head teacher since August 2021, has done an excellent job in leading improvement and taking the school forward.’
It adds that, in appointing Mr Mitchell, the council is ‘pleased to have identified a high-quality solution which ensures the excellence in leadership required in the school’.
Mr Mitchell has been head teacher of Dunoon Grammar School for nine years, and has successfully led the school through inspection.
He is also an associate assessor with Her Majesty’s
Inspectors of Education, and has experience of effectively leading another large secondary school in the authority through a period of transition.
‘Mr Mitchell’s appointment ensures proven, high-quality leadership in Campbeltown Grammar School,’ the letter continues, ‘and he has a strong record of developing the leadership skills of others in the school. This relates importantly to the future leadership of Campbeltown Grammar School, as it is not the local authority’s intention to continue the joint head teacher role permanently.’
Mr Mitchell will split his week between the two schools, physically basing himself in each school for a different part of each week.
A senior depute head teacher will be appointed in both schools to undertake the dayto-day running of each school during Mr Mitchell’s time in the other establishment.
Regardless of which location he is based in at any particular time, Mr Mitchell will continue to have full head teacher responsibilities for both schools at all times.
‘I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead the team and school community at Campbeltown Grammar School as joint head teacher,’ said Mr Mitchell.
‘I am excited by the excellent work and improvement already happening in the school, and look forward greatly to working with colleagues, pupils, parents/carers and partners to fulfil the school’s enormous potential.
‘I have faith that the whole school community can work together with enthusiasm and creativity to ensure the very best outcomes, opportunities and futures for all our pupils.’