Sixth form college leadership team in place

David Greenwood, Jenny Carr, Glyn Barker

As construction of the new Rochdale Sixth Form College building moves on apace, the sixth form college’s senior leadership team is now in place and striving to create a centre of A Level excellence in Rochdale that is among the best in the country.

With a combined experience of more than 80 years working in education, the senior leadership team consists of seven highly-respected educational professionals who will now take responsibility for heading up the new £26m sixth form college.

Alongside principal Julian Appleyard, Vice Principal Tony Day, and Director of Resources, Joy Bell, who were all appointed last year, three new Assistant Principals have now joined the team, David Greenwood, Glyn Barker and Jenny Carr.

David Greenwood spent more than 10 years at Greenhead College in Huddersfield, a sixth form college which has become a centre of national interest for its exceptional academic achievement and student support systems.

As Assistant Principal, he will now take responsibility for implementing and managing student development, guidance and support systems at Rochdale Sixth Form College, including managing a specialised team of Personal Progress Tutors responsible for the academic, personal and social development of students.

Jenny Carr was previously the Director of main school and an economics and business studies teacher at Crompton House School in Shaw, Oldham.

Her new role will see her facilitating the liaison between schools and the sixth form college to make the transition for students as smooth as possible.

Prior to his appointment, Glyn Barker was a Curriculum Leader in humanities at Oldham Sixth Form College. An experienced A level history teacher with a strong track record of student achievement, he will take a lead on learning and teaching across the college. He will also take responsibility for monitoring the latest educational research and implementing best practice at the college.

The new senior leadership team will head up the 40-strong team of staff that will start work at the new sixth form college in September when the college opens its doors for the first time.

Mr Appleyard said: “Fantastic as our building will be, the strength of a college is not in how new or modern its facilities are but in the strength of its teaching staff.

“That’s why the skills and track record of the senior leadership team is so important – and why I’m so happy with the strength of the senior team now in place.

“Our aim is not only to give students in Rochdale more choice as to what they do between the ages of 16 to 18, but to really raise the standards of A Level achievement, and therefore the life chances of young people, across the borough.

“I’m confident that those now in place at the college are the people to deliver that.”

The sixth form college will serve 16-18 year-olds and will offer 34 different A and AS-Level courses.