A HEADTEACHER vowed to return “re-energised” as he bids a temporary farewell to staff and pupils.
Tony Davidson, headteacher at St David’s High School, Saltney Ferry will take up a position as a schools inspector for Estyn, the Welsh education inspectorate.
Mr Davidson, who became head in 2003, has been invited to join Estyn at their Mold office for seven months from September after the schools governors agreed to release him.
He said it is a mark of St David’s success that he has been deemed capable of judging other schools.
Mr Davidson added: “It’s an accolade for the school. Because I’m going on a secondment rather than leaving, people think it’ll benefit the school.
“I’ll be in some of the best schools up and down the land and come back re-energised and full of ideas.
“Someone at Estyn will have noticed St David’s has made quite rapid progress. Our raw scores have gone up to touching 60% getting five A-Cs at GCSE, well up on five years ago.
“On value added scores we are now in the top 25% in Wales. We have made outstanding progress in raising students’ aspirations and levels of achievement.”
John Growcott will be acting headteacher and Michelle Ford acting deputy headteacher until Mr Davidson returns from his secondment in April. He said: “I’m leaving the school in very safe hands – he is more than capable of doing the job.
“John will maintain the steady course. We work very closely so the successes we’ve had are based on our partnership.”
Estyn’s key purpose is to raise standards in education and training in Wales through inspection and advice and Mr Davidson is looking forward to his new job.
He added: “My role will involve the inspection of Welsh secondary schools and education authorities. I hope to be able to make a significant contribution to the work of the inspectorate.”
