Kaskenmoor head will lead academy

KASKENMOOR head teacher John Alder has been appointed as principal designate of the new academy which will replace his school.

He has been given the top job at the Oasis Academy which is due to open in September, 2010.

It will replace Kaskenmoor and South Chadderton schools, initially opening in their existing buildings. The new 1,200-place academy will then open at the former Brook Mill site, Hollinwood, in 2012.

Run by the Christian charity Oasis Community Learning, it will specialise in maths, ICT, business and enterprise.

Kaskenmoor celebrated a massive leap in its GCSE results last year after the number of pupils achieving five A* to C grades soared to 50 per cent from only 16 per cent in 2005.

Oasis founder and chief executive Steve Chalke said: “John is an outstanding head teacher with a proven track record.

“He is held in great respect by both colleagues and students. He has the leadership skills, vision and educational strength that we believe will help make the new Oasis Academy a flagship secondary school.

“John has been the head teacher of Kaskenmoor since 2003. Under his leadership it has developed from being one of the lower achieving schools nationally to become one of the country’s fastest improving.

“He also has an in-depth knowledge of the communities he will be serving. All this, along with his deep commitment to the Oasis ethos, confirm to us that he is the very best person to lead the new academy.”

Mr Alder’s first responsibility will be working with staff in both schools to ensure a smooth transition.

He said: “I am delighted to be selected. Both South Chadderton and Kaskenmoor are vibrant schools which have improved significantly over the last few years. I am looking forward to working in partnership with staff and pupils from both, as well as Oasis and the local authority,

“I feel very much in tune with the Oasis ethos and fully support their commitment to developing it. There is a lot of work to do before 2010 but I think we are going to create a fantastic school.”

The sponsors of Oldham’s two other academies, which will replace Breeze Hill, Counthill and Grange schools, are yet to appoint their designate principals.