One of the region’s top independent schools has started the academic year by welcoming its new headmaster.
Mr Ken James has become the seventh headmaster at Norton’s Red House School and is looking forward to building on its distinguished history and excellent reputation.
Born in Durham and educated in Yorkshire, Ken is delighted to be working back in the North East, having held various roles in a number of independent schools in the UK, including Director of Academic Administration (Cranleigh), Housemaster (Downside) and Director of Co-curricular (St John’s, Leatherhead).
After successfully leading Fyling Hall School, near Whitby, Ken spent time in Australia and held management roles in two leading independent schools. Most recently he was Head of Senior School and Deputy Headmaster of Cranbrook, one of Sydney’s leading independent schools.
Although Ken has experience of working in schools of varying size, it is the size of Red House and the close community feel, which attracted him to the position.
“We come into teaching to work with young people and to inspire them to do their very best,” said Ken.
“At Red House, thanks to the size and ethos of the school, all the staff know all the children and not just by name. They know what makes them ‘tick’ and I am determined to form an excellent working relationship with all the children.”
Ken plans to be highly visible around school and will be involved in all aspects of school life. Having taught Maths for 20 years, he will continue to do so at Red House and is introducing a GCSE Statistics club before school, to add extra breadth to the curriculum. His love of sport and the theatre will also see him fully engaged with the pupils.
Ken’s appointment, which was first announced in November 2015, is one of many steps taken by the school as part of its plans to continue to offer an excellent education for future generations on its current site.
Work carried out over the summer means the school now has an excellent multipurpose surface on the school grounds for hockey and tennis.
The school also plans to extend its bus services for the convenience of parents. A service from Durham is now being offered.
Ken added: “It really is an exciting time for everyone involved with the school and I’m both proud and thrilled to be leading this wonderful, small school which has such a big heart.”
Red House School would like to invite prospective pupils and their parents to an open morning on Saturday 24thSeptember between 10am – 1pm.
To find out more about Red House School, please visit: http://www.redhouseschool.co.
Twitter: @RedHouseSchool