One of Cumbria’s largest secondary schools has a new – but familiar – headteacher for the next school year.
Kath Pigdon, currently interim head of School at William Howard School in Brampton, has been selected to take on the headteacher’s role.
Ms Pigdon will lead the 11-18 school, which serves a wide catchment area to the east of Carlisle, and a student population in excess of 1,400. It was a founding member of Cumbria Education Trust.
Des Bird, the trust’s director of secondary education, said: “Kath has done a sterling job of managing the day-to-day running of the school and driving forward improvement during this time.
“In order to provide stability, continuity and progression, we have asked Kath to take on the role of headteacher for the next academic year.
“Kath will take on further strategic leadership of the school, but still receive support from the wider central team within the trust.”
Richard O’Connor, who has also taken on additional responsibilities at the school since October, has been appointed as interim deputy headteacher, and this appointment has been extended to include the next academic year.
Both positions and future requirements will be reviewed in the spring term in 2024.
Ms Pigdon said: “It’s an honour and privilege to take on the responsibility of this role. We have a great team both here at William Howard School and across the Trust, and some exciting plans.
“We are committed to continuing to raise standards and aspirations, and delivering a first-rate education for our young people. I am very much looking forward to leading William Howard School into the next stage of its development.”
Ms Pigdon moved to William Howard School in 2009 as assistant headteacher and was promoted to deputy headteacher in 2014.
Alongside her school role, she has led the trust’s positive behaviour group and co-led leadership development for the trust’s teaching staff.
Previous headteacher, Chris McAree, stepped down from the role in March, and has a new position driving standards in maths across the trust’s schools.
The trust has 13 schools, including two more secondaries, Workington Academy and The Whitehaven Academy, and is responsible for the education of more than 4,500 young people.
