Principal to leave Sidmouth College
Sidmouth College principal Kenny Duncan. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref shs 4550-37-12SH To order your copy of this photograph visit www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24 - Credit: Archant
The principal of Sidmouth College has announced he will leave for a new challenge at the end of the summer term, after nearly four years in the post.
Kenny Duncan will take the top job at Kingsbridge Community College in South Devon. He will leave Sidmouth on August 31 and his successor is yet to be determined.
Mr Duncan said: “It is an exciting prospect to be able to have an influence upon a new organisation, however, I am also enormously sad to leave Sidmouth College, as this organisation provided me with my first taste of headship and a huge amount of satisfaction and pride.
“I promised when I arrived in 2012 that I would provide the community with a school that they could be proud of and I hope that I have succeeded in this.”
During his tenure, Sidmouth College has risen in the league tables for its GCSE and A-level results and its reputation has been bolstered. He said the school environment has also improved in the face of ‘quite crippling’ levels of funding.
Mr Duncan said the college is experiencing falling student numbers due to a demographic shift, meaning that staffing is being cut to avoid a deficit. He urged council bosses to promote the town as the ‘perfect location’ to raise a family, not just somewhere to retire.
“The school has an exciting and successful future and I am determined to maintain relationships with the school, its staff and students after I leave,” said Mr Duncan. He thanked everyone at the college and in the community for helping to make Sidmouth College the best it can be.
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Writing to parents, Ann Denner, the chair of governors, said: “Mr Duncan has been instrumental in bringing about improvements and creating a college community we all are proud to be part of.
“I hope you will join with me in continuing to support Sidmouth College on its journey towards being an outstanding educational establishment for all of its students and, lastly, in wishing Mr Duncan every success in his new position.”
She said the governing body will plan for Mr Duncan’s succession in the coming weeks and keep parents informed.
