A NEW principal has been appointed at a Runcorn school.

Emlyn Wright has taken over from retiring executive principal John Rigby

at Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy (OBA) on Barnfield Avenue, Murdishaw.

Mr Wright comes with a wealth of experience having served as principal at Belfast Model School for Girls.

Prior to that he was deputy head at Weatherhead High School, a national teaching school, on the Wirral for eight years.

Mr Wright said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this new role and look forward to working with the fantastic and extremely dedicated staff and students, whose hard work has seen the academy achieve some excellent results.

“My predecessor John Rigby has done a wonderful job in ensuring that OBA has very high expectations and aspirations for all its students. This is an ethos that I intend to continue.”

Liverpool-born Mr Wright spent time during his childhood in Runcorn close to the school and knows the locality well.

Strong family ties to the area and the excellent reputation of the academy influenced his decision to take the job.

Mr Wright is passionate about teaching, learning, and professional and leadership development.

His priorities will be maintaining the positive achievements of the academy which is graded ‘good’ by Ofsted.

He has vowed to ensure that students not only achieve well academically, but are equipped with the skills and personal qualities they need to take their next steps as successful citizens.

Mike Cunliffe, chairman of governors at OBA, said: “After a highly competitive recruitment process, we are delighted to appoint Emlyn Wright as our new principal.

“We are confident that he has the drive and vision required to ensure standards remain high. We very much look forward to working closely with him in this role.”

Nick Hudson, interim chief executive officer at Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), said:

“Emlyn is a fantastic addition to the team, bringing with him a wealth of experience, great drive and enthusiasm. We are very excited to have him on board.

“We will be working closely with Emlyn and his team to ensure OBA continues to deliver excellent educational outcomes for its students and goes from strength to strength.”