Hove headteacher takes on top job at local academy trust

Rob Reed will leave his job at Hove Park at Easter, to become executive headteacher for the academy trust in the south.

Aldridge Education runs Brighton and Portslade Aldridge Community Academies (BACA and PACA) and UTC@harbourside, the University Technical College in Newhaven.

Mr Reed said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed to this post. As a local headteacher, I have observed first hand the superb work of the Trust in Brighton and Hove. I am tremendously excited at the prospect of contributing to the Trust’s impressive record of providing excellent education that gives young people the skills and qualifications they need.”

Jim Roberts, deputy head at Hove Park, will take the on the role of acting headteacher at the school.

A statement from Hove Park School said: “Our current headteacher, Rob Reed, has accepted the position of executive principal for the Aldridge Education South East Cluster.

“We are delighted to announce that Jim Roberts will take up the interim post of acting headteacher. Jim has been at the heart of the many successes of the school over the last few years.

“During Jim’s time as senior deputy headteacher the school has had much to celebrate: excelling in the recent Ofsted behaviour inspection, becoming an officially designated teaching school, securing Apple Distinguished School status, and maintaining high standards of achievement and behaviour.

“In addition to his deep knowledge of the school and direct contribution to the school’s collective achievements, Jim is an accredited and experienced Ofsted inspector. The school is fortunate to have such a capable and experienced leader who will ensure that the school continues to go from strength to strength.

“Rob will formally leave the school at Easter. Between the February half term and Easter, Jim and Rob will work together as co-headteachers of the school. This gives the school a unique opportunity to ensure a highly effective and smooth transition.

“We would like to thank Rob for his hard work and for driving Hove Park School even further forward. We wish him all the best in his new role.”

In his new role, Mr Reed will work with principals Dylan Davies, Katie Scott and Adanma Umunna, to ‘grow the regional cluster’ of schools, encouraging joint working and shared resources ‘for the benefit of all Aldridge students locally’.

Mr Reed joined Hove Park School as headteacher in September 2015, and secured a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating after an inspection in October 2016. He played a central role in the successful bid by five local schools to establish a teaching school alliance.

Prior to joining Hove Park Mr Reed was headteacher at Chessington Community College in Kingston; led The Hillsyde Federation of Schools in South London; and held deputy and assistant headteacher roles at a school in Tower Hamlets.

Chris Tweedale, Aldridge Education’s chief executive, said: “Rob has a very strong track record as a school leader and in building partnerships that bring real benefits to his schools and their students. He also brings his excellent knowledge of Brighton and the Sussex region to complement that of our existing Principals. This is a very exciting appointment for us.

“We are very ambitious for our schools locally. UTC@harbourside in its second year and is building its reputation for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Both PACA and BACA have recently been recognised as Good in every category by Ofsted, and are in a great position to be recognised as outstanding in future.

“Rob will work with each of the schools to continue to improve the education we offer to all of our young people across the community, and will also be working with other head teachers and governors who wish to explore joining our growing Trust.”