Press Release
TEACHER RETURNS TO HIS ROOTS TO HEAD NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL
Published: 07/07/2010

Jonathan Russell, who was coordinator of graphics at Sandown High School between 1995 - 1997, will take up the position of Principal Designate from January 2011. He currently works as Headteacher at the Brabazon Family Unit in Kent, and is a former deputy headteacher at Springfield Technology College in Portsmouth.

He has been appointed by the interim governing body of Cowes High School ahead of when the Cowes Pathfinder Trust will become responsible for running the new Cowes Secondary School from September 2011.

The interview panel was made up of representatives from the interim governing body and also Isle of Wight Council.

Speaking of his appointment, Jonathan Russell said "I am honoured to be appointed to this prestigious role at Cowes. Both myself and the Pathfinder Trust share the same vision and with my core educational beliefs, alongside the unanimous support from the Trust and governors in me, we will provide a solid foundation to manage the change not only to the new school and its building but on our journey to become outstanding.

"I was also fortunate to meet many of the young people at Cowes and I felt that they were confident and articulate ambassadors for the Island who, like myself, are very ambitious about the future"

Alan Wells, Chair of the interim governing body said "I am delighted that we have made the appointment of Jonathan Russell. I believe he will be an outstanding leader of the new school and he has the full support of the Interim Governing Body.

"With his past experience of merging middle schools into a secondary model he will understand the pressures and sensitivities. We look forward to welcoming him into our community which he intends to make his home’.

Chair of the Cowes Pathfinder Trust Rachel Fidler said "The Trust is really looking forward to working with Jonathan to carry through the vision of the One School Pathfinder, and establish a school that parents, children and the community of Cowes, East Cowes and also the Isle of Wight can be proud of"

IW Council's Director of Children and Young People's Services Colin Peak said "The interview panel was very impressed by Jonathan's approach and clear passion for education. We welcome him to his new role and look forward to working with him in future"

The Isle of Wight will see a new two-tier education system phased in to replace the current three tier system from September 2010. Cowes High School will become Cowes Secondary School from September 2011.

A new, state of the art school is due to be built on the current Cowes High School site, ready for 2012, under the government's One School Pathfinder scheme.

Construction work on the new school is due to start in October.