New principal announced for Brighton secondary

Bob Speight is set to succeed Dylan Davies, who is leaving the academy at the end of this term to take up a new position as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools.

Mr Davies is one of the longest serving secondary heads in the city, having joined BACA in January 2014.

Mr Speight is currently vice principal at the Ark Bolingbroke Academy in South West London, and will take up his role at BACA full-time from June 4.

Jim May, chair of governors at BACA, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Bob Speight as the new Principal at BACA from a strong field of candidates. His track record at schools in London means he is well equipped to build on the great progress that has happened under Dylan Davis’ leadership.

“Following Ofsted’s recognition of our good teaching, superb facilities and outstanding student care last year, Bob’s appointment puts us in a great position to build further on the academy’s growing reputation.”

Mr Speight said: “Working with the BACA team and our executive principal I believe we can make the academy a truly world-class centre of learning. Students are entitled to great lessons every day and access to a wide range of extra-curricular experiences.

“My role as principal of BACA will be to help every member of the academy community perform to their potential, ensuring that our students experience the very best day in, day out.

“BACA is a great academy with so many special features. It is an honour to be given the opportunity to lead it on the next stage of its journey.”

Mr Speight qualified as a history teacher in 2005 and has taught at five schools in London, as well as gaining teaching experience in Spain and Uganda. He has been a deputy headteacher/vice principal for eight years in two London schools, including six months as acting principal during maternity cover.

In his current role Mr Speight has been part of a leadership team at a new academy which celebrated last summer as its first set of GCSE results saw it become one of the highest performing schools in the London Borough of Wandsworth.

Following Mr Davies’ departure, BACA vice principal Janet Tremble will be acting principal until Mr Speight joins in June.