New headteacher to take over at high-flying Corby secondary

A new leader will take the reins at a Brooke Weston Academy in spring.
Interim associate principal Shaun Strydom, CEO Dr Andrew Campbell and trust executive principal Anne HillInterim associate principal Shaun Strydom, CEO Dr Andrew Campbell and trust executive principal Anne Hill
Interim associate principal Shaun Strydom, CEO Dr Andrew Campbell and trust executive principal Anne Hill

Brooke Weston have appointed a new interim associate principal to take over when Peter Kirkbride - who has been in charge since 2016 - leaves for a promotion.

Shaun Strydom, who has worked at Brooke Weston Academy for 11 years, will be stepping up to the role in May to become the sixth head in the school's thirty year history.

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Shaun started at the school in Coomb Road as an IT teacher before working his way up to senior vice principal. He has had responsibility for many areas of school life including data, outcomes, safeguarding, curriculum and timetabling.

He is currently completing his NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) through the Brooke Weston Teaching School Alliance and has worked with other trust schools, including Corby Technical School on its data infrastructure and Thomas Clarkson Academy, where he served as a governor.

Shaun, who is from South Africa, said he is excited about his new role and working alongside CEO, Dr Andrew Campbell, Trust Secondary Executive Principal, Anne Hill and the other Trust Principals. Brooke Weston Academy has been his first and only UK school and he admires its ethos, values and drive for success.

He said: "I didn’t expect to find such a passion for Brooke Weston Academy. I live and breathe its standards, ethos and high expectations of staff and students. Every member of teaching and support staff puts in 100% every single day encouraging our students to achieve at very high levels. We are privileged to work in an amazing professional climate.

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"I am a calm and assertive leader with high standards and expectations for our school community. I lead by example and will make the right decisions to ensure the school remains successful.

"I am thrilled by this opportunity and want to continue giving back to the school. It is about supporting and leading the staff, making sure we are heading in the right direction to ensure that it continues to be as successful as ever. I am looking forward to the challenge of taking this ambitious and outstanding school to the next level of its development."

Newly-appointed headteachers within Brooke Weston Trust who have no previous experience of headship begin as associate principals benefitting from regular mentoring and professional support from the executive principal. The associate principal has full control of day to day school matters but receives advice and in areas that may be less familiar to them such as strategic planning, governance or HR. After a successful first year in the job, the title changes to principal.

Brooke Weston Trust Secondary Executive Principal Anne Hill said: "I look forward to working closely with Shaun to shape and develop his vision for the school. He has the right attitude, skills and knowledge to step into this role and, with the backing and expertise of the Trust, I am confident that Brooke Weston Academy will continue to thrive under his leadership."

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Trust CEO Dr Andrew Campbell said: "Shaun is a man whom I hold in the highest regard, and it is very clear how much he is valued and respected by all his colleagues at Brooke Weston Academy. His calm determination, clear vision and absolute commitment to the Academy and its future make him an ideal choice. I and my colleagues will give him all the support and encouragement he needs to make this fast-paced and dynamic role his own."

Brooke Weston is one of the county's most sought-after schools. It has had an Ofsted outstanding rating for many years, has a progress 8 score well above the national average and 98 per cent of its pupils stay in education or training after they leave.

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