The new Principal of West Lakes Academy has been announced.

Abby Deeks has been appointed to take over from current Principal James Jackson who will be leaving after eight years at the academy. 

Currently Vice-Principal of West Lakes Academy, Mrs Deeks was also instrumental in helping the academy achieve its Ofsted outstanding judgement in 2017 and therefore understands how to ensure the community can rightly be proud. 

Jonathan Johnson, chief executive officer of the newly named Changing Lives Learning Trust, said: “Abby was a stand-out candidate for this role and shone through in an exceptionally strong field.

"The rigorous and extensive two-day process involved approximately 160 students and 60 staff, governors and trustees not including all those involved behind the scenes to ensure it was a community-led decision.

"In upholding our sponsors’ commitment to ‘Changing Lives Through Learning’, we did not compromise on what we were looking for and carried out an extensive recruitment process to find the right candidate to replace James.” 

Mr Johnson said it was a unanimous and enthusiastic decision to appoint Mrs Deeks from a final assessment of the three strongest candidates. 

“We are delighted to have found a worthy and outstanding new Principal for West Lakes Academy and we are looking forward to the changes and improvements we will see under her leadership. I am sure the governors, families and staff at will warmly welcome her and what she will bring to our community.” 

Mrs Deeks said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the new Principal of West Lakes Academy – it is the pinnacle of my entire career, starting here as a teacher, becoming Head of English, Assistant and then Vice Principal.

"I look forward to uniting the existing community and to building new relationships. It is an immense privilege to have been appointed to lead West Lakes Academy into an exciting new chapter.

"I look to build upon the successes of Mr Jackson and to work collaboratively within the newly named Changing Lives Learning Trust to provide the very best education and opportunities to all in our care – I can’t wait to get started!”