Dover Christ Church Academy head Richard Williams to quit post

DOVER Christ Church Academy's Principal has confirmed to the Express that he is to quit his job in the summer.

Richard Williams will be leaving the school in August to become a special "superhead" for the Department for Education.

The 50-year-old took control at the academy when it was launched after the closure of the failing Archers Court Maths and Computing College in September 2010.

Dad of three Mr Williams had already enjoyed success at turning around the fortunes of his previous school, Medina High on the Isle of Wight, before coming to Dover.

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On his arrival, he set challenging targets for the academy and demanded at least 30 per cent of pupils achieved five GCSE A* to C grades, including maths and English.

Mr Williams said: "I will be sad to leave.

"This is very much a promotion for me – going to work directly with the Department for Education – but I will miss the staff and pupils at Christ Church.

"Some of the teaching staff here I have come to consider friends, while I have enjoyed raising standards and seeing pupils grow and progress.

"I think it has been my success at this school and at my previous school which has enabled me to move on into my new role."

In October 2010, a group of students went on strike in protest over lunchtime timetable changes, an event that spiralled when people from outside the school became involved. The problems were resolved and later even led to the tongue-in-cheek naming of the new school junk-percussion band R!ot.

Just over a year later, in November 2011, the academy enjoyed a glowing Ofsted report that found students' behaviour and attendance had improved since the school's inception. Mr Williams added: "When I came here, there were several teachers who were victims of the previous school administration but now they are the ones leading the changes and improvement at Dover Christ Church Academy.

"It's pleasing to see.

"I'm here until August 31 and I will continue to push forward improvements.

"I will certainly be about to see all of the fantastic exam results we're hoping for."

Mr Williams's new role will mean he will continue his work as an Ofsted inspector while operating as a "short-term intervention" troubleshooter around the country.

Chair of governors Paul Carney said: "We have accepted Mr Williams' resignation and there will be an announcement about his replacement today (Thursday) as we have already gone through the recruitment processes."