A NEW headteacher is wanted at a leading grammar school.

Westcliff High School for Girls, in Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff, is looking for someone to succeed Andrew Cooper who joined the school last year. He took over from Dr Paul Hayman, who had been in the post for 17 years.

Mr Cooper will then concentrate on his other role as chief executive of the South East Essex Academy Trust which oversees the school.

Chairman of the trust, Murray Foster, said: “Last year we welcomed Andrew Cooper to the dual role of chief executive of the trust and headteacher of Westcliff High School for Girls.

“It was always our intention that, as the trust expanded, we would split this role, bringing in a new designated headteacher for the school and enabling Mr Cooper to focus exclusively on his chief executive role.

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“The trust has continued to grow, with the addition of three schools in September 2021. As our family of schools continues to flourish, we feel the time is now right to bring about this change.”

Trust leaders say the new principal will be in place in time for the next school year.

They also said the new headteacher will be able to give full focus to the school, working alongside Andrew Cooper to build on the work he has done since joining the school and the trust.

Other schools in the South East Essex Academy Trust include Holt Farm Junior School, Prince Avenue Academy and Nursery, Rochford Primary School, the Deanes School, Hadleigh Junior School, and the Westborough School.

Amanda Solomons, chairman of the Westcliff High School for Girls Governing Body, said: “Mr Cooper will still have hands-on contact with the school in his role as chief executive of the trust.

He will continue to offer ongoing support to the school, to ensure the school’s excellent reputation is maintained and that all of the children are able to reach their full potential.”

She added: “Our school community is at the heart of everything we do. By strengthening our team at the top, we can continue to embrace our school’s ethos: to achieve academic success in an atmosphere that fosters positive relationships, good mental health and well-being, promotes equality and inclusion and celebrates diversity.”