John Wood to be new head of St Aidan's Academy

John Wood, a long standing member of staff at St Aidan's C of E Aacademy in Harrogate has been named as the new head teacher to lead the flagship school from January 2012. He will succeed Dennis Richards who retires in December.

John is the son of Rev Gordon Wood, who served in the Diocese of Ripon for nearly 40 years. Educated at Leeds Grammar School, John joined the school as a Religious Studies teacher in September 1977. He has been a highly respected member of the school staff for over thirty years, serving it in a variety of roles, most recently as Assistant Head within the Senior Leadership Team.

“We are absolutely delighted that John Wood has accepted this post,” said Claire Kelley, Chair of Governors.   “He is an exceptional teacher who enjoys the full support of colleagues, parents and pupils in the school. He is also well-known in the wider community as Chair of the Harrogate International Youth Festival and through his involvement in St. Mark’s Church.   We are confident that he will lead the school with great distinction, building on the outstanding reputation that it already enjoys.”

John himself said, “St Aidan’s has been an important part of my life for more than thirty years and I feel honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to lead it.   The school is renowned for its caring, child centred, Christian ethos, and this will remain at the heart of our work.   I am extremely fortunate to be chosen to lead a wonderful school with  a brilliant staff team, completely dedicated to helping all the school’s pupils achieve to the best of their ability.   Although I will of course bring my own ideas and style to the job, the school’s values and ethos will remain unchanged.”