A headteacher is stepping down from one of Cheshire’s top performing secondary schools but is leaving the academy in a strong position.
Tony Lamberton, head of Christleton High School (CHS) for 14 years, will be replaced at the end of the summer term although he is likely to stay on in supporting role.
Mr Lamberton, who is only the fourth headteacher in the school’s 58 year history, is credited with leading a team that has transformed CHS into one of Cheshire’s most successful and oversubscribed schools.
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The school was graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in November 2014, a complete turnaround from a previous inspection in 2007 when it was made subject to special measures to improve standards.
Tony commented: “It has been a huge privilege to lead the school and serve our amazing young people and staff for such a significant period.
“I intend to keep working but I’ve reached a stage in my working life when I would like more flexibility. I have after all been at school since I was four!”
He continued: “Christleton High is a wonderful place where kindness has always gone hand in hand with excellence. I’m proud to have played a part in the history and on-going development of such a very special community in which the school team, students, parents, governors and the wider community have been able to work together so effectively.”
In 2010 Mr Lamberton backed the school governors’ controversial decision to convert into an academy despite opposition from Cheshire West Anti-Academies Campaign.
And last year the school was given the go-ahead to establish a new type of Free School for the 14-19 age group aimed at forging closer links between education and business.
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The school had hoped to locate the International Studio within Knights Court on the corner of St Martin’s Way and Weaver Street in Chester city centre but the fit-out costs proved too much for the Department for Education (DfE). However, the school insists the vision ‘is still very much alive’.
Prime minister David Cameron chose to visit Christleton High during last year’s general election campaign as a ‘great’ example of an ‘oustanding’ school. The latest good news is that a £3m upgrade of the exterior is about to be completed with new windows and cladding featuring a striking copper finish.
Sue Leake, chair of governors, praised Tony for his ‘unwavering commitment to the well-being and success of generations of young people who have passed through the school’.
She commented: “The reputation this school has acquired both within and beyond Cheshire for its standards, ethos and achievements are in no small measure due to Tony’s passion for excellence which is so clearly shared by his outstanding team.”
Sue added: “A £3m refurbishment will be completed in March and the newly-formed Christleton Learning Trust, created out of a commitment to make more difference to more young people across a wider local area, provides a platform from which the school can widen its educational offer in exciting new ways in the future.”
The process for appointing Tony’s successor will be agreed by trustees and governors in the coming weeks.
