A TEACHER has worked his way up through the ranks to be appointed Associate Principal of a school for pupils with emotional, social and behavioural difficulties.

Leigh Bailey-Pearce joined Bournemouth’s Tregonwell Academy 12 years ago and has since held a variety of teaching roles within the organisation.

The school operates three different sites and Mr Bailey-Pearce, 39, has been appointed to the top role at its Petersfield campus in Boscombe East.

The former Winton Boys’ School pupil joined what was then Bicknell School in 2004 and has taught in many roles including PE, ICT and science.

He was later appointed assistant headteacher at the Petersfield campus and for the past two years has headed up the academy’s Nigel Bowes site for primary age pupils.

“During the last 12 years I have seen this school go through many name changes, from Bicknell School to a Federation School, to an Academy, and then a multi-academy trust,” he said. “I have also seen it change from a Good Ofsted-rated school to the Outstanding school it is today.”

He said pupils are usually performing below the level expected for their age when they join the school but said they achieve well and GCSE results are improving.

“Students achieve outstandingly well here and the proportion of them attaining five good GCSE passes including English and mathematics is rising strongly, with almost all pupils moving on to college or training.

“There is still much than can be done to build on this and I am excited to have the opportunity to drive the school forward” he added.

Leigh was given his first job by Brian Hooper, the then Head of Bicknell School. Brian is now a National Leader of Education and CEO of Ambitions Academies Trust (AAT), which runs Tregonwell Academy, five other schools and a nursery.

Mr Hooper said: “Leigh’s absolute commitment to his pupils shone through as a new teacher and has not waned in the slightest.

“I am proud to have watched his career progress and am extremely confident in his ability to help even more of Tregonwell’s pupils reach their full potential.”

Tregonwell Academy operates on three sites, the Nigel Bowes campus in Ensbury Avenue, the Petersfield campus in Littledown and Throop Learning Centre.