Head teacher seeks legacy in new role

NEW head teacher at Blue Coat School, Robert Higgins

ROBERT Higgins says that he will continue to build on the strong foundations of Blue Coat School.

He has been appointed as the next head teacher of the successful Church of England secondary, taking over from Julie Hollis in September.

Mr Higgins (38) is currently deputy head in charge of pupils' progress, standards and ethos and said: "The most important thing about Blue Coat is its history. It pre-dates us and will be here long after we have gone.

"It's gone through a large amount of change since 1834. It's not just survived, it's thrived and it's my job to continue that and to build on the strong foundations.

"My aims for the school are what they have always been: that every student has the opportunity to experience success. It's my role and the role of the school to ignite that spark in the young people and develop the passion they will take into life."

Originally from the Isle of Man, Mr Higgins did a degree in sport science, a PGCE teaching qualification and a masters in education.

The PE teacher worked in Runcorn for 12 years, in roles which were focussed on students' progress and achievement, before joining Blue Coat as assistant head responsible for pupils' progress.

"In the four years I have been here I have moved up through the senior leadership team. I don't think there's a role on the senior leadership team I haven't done," he added.

"I love the school. When I came for my very first interview there was a feeling I got within a couple of minutes. It's the ethos; it's very much a sense of community. Obviously the Christian values are a part of everything but it's an organic community, not something that's forced.

"It's a nurturing environment for staff and pupils, which makes it very welcoming. Pupils want to learn and the staff want to do the best by them."

The married father of two young children played football at county level for the Isle of Man and also coached throughout his time at secondary school and university, including for Major League Soccer side New England Revolution at a children's summer programme in the US.

He added: "I always wanted to be involved in education. My two passions were sport and helping and that's why I got into coaching.

"It's the same now. I still love that moment - it's why we get up in the morning - when you see someone learn a skill; when the penny drops and they grasp something."

Mrs Hollis is stepping down after 15 years as head teacher, but will continue as chief executive of the Cranmer Trust which runs Blue Coat and two Oldham primary schools.

Mrs Hollis added: "Robert knows the school and our students really well, and is passionately committed to Blue Coat and the work it does to develop educational provision for young people across the borough."