Bedale High School has a new acting headteacher after Mick Jolley, the school’s headteacher for the last three years, has left his post to recover from ill health
Mr Jolley has decided that it is important for him to concentrate on regaining his health and therefore it is with regret that he has said farewell to the school.
The school’s governing body has expressed its sorrow to lose such an effective leader of the school, and has thanked Mr Jolley for all his hard work over the past three years and wishes him all the very best.
Sian Rees, who has been the school’s associate headteacher to support Mr Jolley, will now have full responsibility for leading the school as Acting Head Teacher while the Board of Governors begins the process to appoint Mr Jolley’s successor.
“Mr Jolley leaves the school in a very much better state than when he joined us,” said Gerry Price Bedale High school’s Chair of Governors. “Our students’ progress and achievements now compare favourably with any local school with a non-selective intake.
“Some time ago we appointed Mrs Rees to work alongside Mr Jolley and to ensure that our improvement programme did not falter when he was unable to be in school. She will now have full responsibility for leading the school as Acting Head Teacher while the Board of Governors begins the process to appoint Mr Jolley’s successor.”
In a letter to parents Mr Price wrote: “Please rest assured that the school’s staff and senior team are firmly focused upon ensuring that every student gets the highest quality education and achieves to their full potential. I am sure we can count on your understanding and support as we move into the next stage of the school’s development.”
“Naturally we will be seeking advice from North Yorkshire County Council on how best to proceed and we hope to resolve the long term leadership of the school well before the end of this term.”
“We wish to thank Mr Jolley for his committed and highly effective leadership over the last few years, said County Councillor Arthur Barker, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Schools. “We are giving all the necessary support to the school and we have every confidence that Mrs Rees will continue with the good work of moving the school forward.”
In a letter to parents Mr Jolley wrote: “As you know I have not been able to be in school as much as I would have liked to be lately. After much consideration I have decided it is important for me to concentrate on regaining my health and therefore it is with a huge feeling of regret that I am writing to say farewell. I would like to send my very best wishes to everyone connected with the school and its community.
“Despite my relatively short time as head teacher I have greatly cherished my time at Bedale High School. I have had a chance to work with and meet some very special people and take away many fond memories.
“The community that is Bedale, underpins the school’s strength. I remember my first days with the school very well. What struck me most was the high quality of the relationships between staff and students, the willingness of students to take responsibility, care about their learning and demonstrate their ambitions for their future. Finally and significantly, the way in which all the staff, including those who support the daily running of the school, work together to provide a fantastic experience for young people.
“I would like to thank you all for the support I have felt over the past three years. I wish you all the greatest of success in the future and I am certain that you will go forward from strength to strength”.