High school principal moving to academy

Patrick Ottley-O'Connor, of Todmorden High School is to become Principal of Oasis Academy MediaCityUK in Salford.

Oasis Community Learning, (OCL), the governing body for its Academy programme, said his appointment followed Dave Terry's resignation announced in December last year.

Earlier this year it was revealed that Stephen Ball would be leaving Calder High School, Mytholmroyd, after he was appointed to one of the country's top posts in educational leadership as director of education for a group of academies in the Midlands.

Steve Chalke, founder and chief executive of OCL, said he was confident Mr Ottley-O'Connor was the right person to lead the Academy.

He said: "Patrick is an exceptional head teacher with a proven track record and outstanding reputation in team building, raising attainment and achievement in a wide variety of schools.

"He has held his current position for three years and has guided the school from strength to strength, including a swift increase in attainment from when he was first appointed.

"Patrick has held senior leadership roles in schools for the last 10 years, and is enthusiastically committed to the Oasis ethos.

"In short, I am convinced that Patrick has the leadership skills, clarity of vision and educational strength that will enable him to continue shaping the growth and success of Oasis Academy MediaCityUK and the students in our care."

Mr Ottley-O'Connor will take up his position at the Academy in September.

He said: "I can't wait to begin working alongside the students and staff at the Academy, as well as all those in the local community. I truly believe that Oasis Academy MediaCityUK has massive positive potential, and as it already offers so much to all in the area, we can expect increasingly great things over the coming months and years.''