THE head of a west Cumbrian secondary school has announced he will leave his position at the end of the year.

James Jackson, principal of West Lakes Academy in Egremont, will be leaving his role at the academy at the end of this academic year.

Mr Jackson said: “After nearly eight years, half spent as principal at West Lakes Academy, I feel the time is right to move on and seek further challenges and as such I will be leaving my post at the end of August 2022.

"It has been a privilege to work with such a talented team of colleagues as we built an outstanding academy and an honour to serve the fantastic community of Egremont.”

In a letter to parents, Mr Jackson said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the contributions that you have made whilst being a part of the West Lakes Academy community during my time in post – I have thoroughly enjoyed working in the academy every day, and I will miss the entire WLA community, but will continue to keenly watch the academy achieve further great success in the future."

He added that his successor would "work closely with parents, to ensure that the academy continues to provide the highest standard of education".

Jonathan Johnson, CEO of West Lakes Multi-Academy Trust, along with the trustees and local governors, paid tribute to the contribution Mr Jackson has made both to the academy and to the communities it serves.

Mr Johnson said: “James leaves with the very best wishes of trustees, governors, staff and students, all of whom are pleased to record their thanks to him for his work over the past eight years and to wish him well for the future.”

The trust will be advertising nationally for a new principal with interviews towards the end of June.

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