Deputy head at Bath school to become new principal at Sidmouth College

A NEW principal for Sidmouth College was appointed this week, to succeed Jeremy Roberts from September.

Kenny Duncan, deputy head at Ralph Allen School, Bath, was selected on Tuesday by the college’s governing body.

“I am hugely excited about the prospect,” said Lanarkshire-born Mr Duncan, who spent several days in Sidmouth during the interview process.

The governors’ chairman, Gary Neal, announced the appointment on behalf of the board following a rigorous appointment process, run over two-and-a-half days.

“We interviewed five high-quality candidates from a very strong national field of 33 applicants. The governors were unanimous in their decision to offer the post to Mr Duncan, who was delighted to accept,” he said.

“He will take up the post in September 2012 at the beginning of the new school year. We are confident he has the vision, skills, knowledge, experience and personal qualities we sought and that he is the right person to lead Sidmouth College in the next stage of its development.”

Mr Duncan, formerly an assistant principal of the John Cabot Academy, Bristol, said: “I really wanted to work in a school with a strong community and one with a subject specialisation.”

Specialising in design technology, he believes Sidmouth fits the bill on both counts with its technology status and strong community, which he discovered during his stay in the town.

As principal, Mr Duncan says his key idea will be to ensure the school offers each student the chance to fulfil their expectations.

“The governors want an outstanding school and I do too. I was really pleased with its February Ofsted report when the school received good status.

“The challenge for me is to move it into the category of outstanding and I feel confident it will happen.”

Married to secondary teacher Nerys, and with a son, Ewan, 20, studying at Plymouth, Mr Duncan will have to relocate to East Devon from the Cotswolds.

“But at the moment it hasn’t even sunk in. I’ve told my colleagues and the rest of the school will be told on Monday.”

Sidmouth College governors believe Mr Duncan’s appointment will be warmly welcomed by all members of the college community.