Jackie is ‘right person’ for principal position

ALL set . . . principal-designate Jackie Nellis

A HEAD teacher who helped turn around a failing school has been appointed as the principal designate of the Oldham College academy.

Jackie Nellis, head at Carlton Bolling College, Bradford, has been given the job at the academy which will replace Breeze Hill and Counthill schools.

It will specialise in English with creative industries. The post was advertised with a minimum salary of £100,000.

Mrs Nellis (46) lives in Ripponden has been a teacher for 12 years after switching from a career in banking and finance.

Married with two grown up children, she started as an English and drama teacher at Grange Technology College, Bradford, before becoming assistant head at Halifax High School, Calderdale, three years later.

She joined Carlton Bolling College as deputy head in 2004 when it was in special measures and was appointed as head a year later.

It was rated as outstanding by Ofsted in 2007 and celebrated record GCSE results last year. GCSE results at both Breeze Hill and Counthill are below the Government’s target of 30 per cent of pupils gaining five A* to C grades, including English and maths.

Mrs Nellis said: “Our aims will include the development of an exciting and engaging curriculum to meet the needs of 21st century learners.”

The selection panel included pupils from both schools.

Oldham College principal Kath Thomas said: “I am confident Jackie is the right person for this role.

“She has had a major and very positive impact at Carlton Bolling.”

Kaskenmoor head John Alder has already been named as principal designate of the Oasis Academy. The principal of the academy to replace Grange is yet to be appointed.