New principal is up for challenge

NEW man at the helm . . . David Yates

WATERHEAD Academy has appointed its new principal following the shock departure of his predecessor.

David Yates (37) is currently head teacher at Heywood Community School, Rochdale, which closes in the summer.

The academy, run by Oldham College, will replace Breeze Hill and Counthill Schools in September, initially opening in the existing buildings before moving into new premises at Waterhead in 2012.

The appointment comes after Jackie Nellis stepped down as principal designate earlier this month for “personal and professional” reasons. The surprise news 10 months after her appointment left academy critics fearing that the opening could be jeopardised.

Mr Yates is married with a five-year-old daughter and has has worked at schools in Rochdale.

He was Greater Manchester’s first Advanced Skills Teacher, a grade of teachers who share their skills with others, and has a track record of raising attainment.

Heywood was named as one of the country’s top 20 most improved schools this year for its soaring GCSE results.

Exclusions have also been slashed to zero.

Mr Yates said: “I am very sad at the closure of my own school, but I am really excited to have been chosen as the new principal designate.

“It is a big challenge but a massive opportunity.

“I am not naive at all, but I am a very positive individual — definitely a glass half-full person and it needs that.

“I am going to work with all the stakeholders to overcome any potential barriers. At the end of the day, it is the education of the children which is the most important thing, that’s what we are here for.”

The football fan is also chairman of Rochdale Ladies AFC which he helped set up 15 years ago.

“There was a shell of a team there when I took the girls along from school for a training session,” said Mr Yates.

“I very quickly found I was in charge!”

He also still teaches maths, despite starting his career as a geography teacher, and added: “I got a maths A-level, but to be honest, I probably should have tried harder and got a maths degree. I love the subject.”

Mr Yates will immediately start work part-time, before taking up the academy post full-time in the summer.

Oldham College principal Alun Francis added: “The college has undertaken a full and detailed review of the Waterhead Academy project over the last few weeks.

“Momentum has increased significantly and the project is right on track to deliver an excellent school in September which Oldham richly deserves.”