Head to step aside to focus on growing trust

HEAD teacher Julie Hollis

JULIE Hollis is to step down after 15 years as head teacher at Blue Coat School.

She is leaving to concentrate on leading the growing Cranmer Education Trust, the multi-academy trust set up by the Church of England secondary.

Mrs Hollis joined Blue Coat as deputy head in 1989, before taking over at the helm from Ken Pleasant in September 2002.

She is also the chief executive officer of Cranmer Trust, which also includes two Oldham primaries: East Crompton St George's and Mayfield.

She will step down when her successor is appointed, which is expected to be in September 2017.

Blue Coat, Egerton Street, has 1,600 pupils and was judged to be the top grade of 'outstanding' at its last Ofsted inspection in 2011. It is a National Teaching School - outstanding schools that work with others to provide high-quality teacher training. And it leads the national teacher training organisation Manchester Nexus.

"Blue Coat school is a happy, successful and incredibly energising place to work. But, with the continued growth of the Cranmer Education Trust, it is clear that the time is right for a dedicated head teacher be appointed for the Blue Coat School, to ensure the school, its pupils and staff have the professional leadership they deserve as a part of our growing academy family," said Mrs Hollis.

"Making this decision now gives the trust the time it needs to find an excellent candidate, and will ensure that staff and students have full continuity in leadership.

"For my own part, I feel privileged that I will be able to maintain a close relationship with the school that I love, while growing the work of our trust."