MIDDLEWICH High School’s head teacher, Keith Simpson, will be leaving the school in December to take up a new position as head teacher of Neston High School.

Mr Simpson took over as head teacher six years ago and governors say he has been a key figure in ‘transforming the school’, which is now over-subscribed.

Mr Simpson said: “When I came to the school it had a great team of teachers and a solid foundation on which to build.

“Over the past six years working with such a high-calibre senior leader team, we have put a progressive roadmap in place to not only achieve academic success but to be a caring school that considers and supports all aspects of our student’s needs.

“I’m delighted that this has been confirmed through the very positive response that we’ve received during our consultation on moving to a multi-academy trust, and I’m proud to have played my part in driving this forward.

“I’m also extremely proud of the growth of the school, which has been recognised with such accolades as ‘highly commended’ in the national LGC awards, and I am now looking forward to a new challenge.”

Middlewich High School has become nationally renowned for its holistic approach to pupil’s education, through its leading role as one of the UK’s first ‘emotionally healthy schools’.

The school has also recently completed a consultation process for progressing towards becoming an academy, led by Mr Simpson and the governors, with parent and staff meetings proving it to be well-supported and seen as a positive move. As a result, the school will look to move forward to the next stage of making formal arrangements with the aim of completing the process by September 2019.

Andrew Gibson, chairman of the school governors, said: “On behalf of the governors, staff and pupils, we would like to thank Mr Simpson for all of the hard work that he has put in over the past six years.

“He has been inspirational in leading the school’s success and we are sad to see him go, but we would like to wish him all the very best at his new school.

“His passion for Middlewich High School has been evident and he has nurtured both students and staff, who together have transformed the school. His drive towards our ambitions to become part of a multi-academy trust means he leaves us in a very strong position for our future progression.

“The demand for places at Middlewich High School shows that parents are looking for both academic achievements, as well as a supportive and caring environment in which their children can thrive.

“We will continue this excellent work to further support the school and its students in their ambitions. We will shortly commence the process to recruit a new head teacher, and we will be searching for someone who will demonstrate the values and ethos that Middlewich High School is so proud of.”