A SUCCESSFUL Christchurch head will take up an executive head teacher role when an innovative partnership starts with The Grange in September.

Dr Terry Fish will step into the role under the Twynham Learning Federation, a joint working between the two Christchurch secondary schools.

Plans for the partnership are progressing fast as Mark Stenton, head of The Grange, prepares to leave the school before the end of the summer term.

Under the Twynham Learning Federation both schools will maintain their independence but will work under the executive head teacher and joint executive governing body.

The new head at The Grange, who is yet to be appointed, will join forces with Dr Fish to continue improvements at the school, which has already shown impressive signs of progress, with exams results increasing and rising student numbers in year seven.

However, one of the school’s major constraints is its “significant budget deficit”, something Dr Fish described as an “urgent priority.”

Dr Fish said: “As the head of Twynham School I have considerable experience supporting other schools; as a National Leader of Education, a National Challenge Advisor and a School Improvement Partner.

“The challenges facing The Grange are not new and the achievements of Mark Stenton should not be underestimated.

“The Grange is clearly a good and improving school but the need to continue to improve standards, increase pupil numbers and address the school’s deficit budget are urgent priorities.”

Dr Fish said his role as executive head, would include working very closely with the head teacher of The Grange.

“It is important to say from the outset that there is no compromise in the independent and autonomous role of The Grange school,” he added.

“My working week will see me spend time in both schools as well as allocating time to the generating an income for the Federation through consultancy and school support work.”