High-flying head gets top job at Easingwold (From York Press)

High-flying head gets top job at Easingwold

7:10am Thursday 10th May 2012 in News By Haydn Lewis, haydn.lewis@thepress.co.uk

A head teacher who brought his previous school out of special measures to make it the fifth most-improved school in the country has been given the top job at a North Yorkshire secondary school.

Philip Benaiges, pictured, will take over at Easingwold School in September.

Former head teacher Carey Chidwick stepped down in February after more than 11 years in the role to take early retirement so she could help care for her critically ill father.

The school is currently being run by former Ryedale School head teacher Geoff Jenkinson who came out of retirement to take caretaker charge while a permanent appointment was being made.

Mr Benaiges has extensive leadership and headship experience, having worked at The Wensleydale School from January 2007, initially as the deputy head, before being appointed head teacher in September 2008.

During the last four years at The Wensleydale School he delivered improvements taking it from special measures to good with outstanding features and achieving impressive GCSE and A-level results: five A*-C with English and maths increasing from 36 per cent to 77 per cent. This GCSE achievement was recognised by the Government as representing the fifth most- improved school in the country.

Prior to his role at The Wensleydale School, Mr Benaiges held senior positions at Northallerton College, Keswick School and Lutterworth College, Leicestershire. He began his teaching career at Babington Community College, Leicestershire.

Outside education, Mr Benaiges’ main interests are mountaineering, cycling and golf, and is keen that any school he leads provides a broad educational experience and is not one limited to academic excellence alone.

Jane Harrison, chairman of governors at Easingwold, said: “I am delighted that Easingwold School has been able to appoint Philip Benaiges as head teacher and we look forward to working with him to lead the school to achieve its full potential.”

Mr Benaiges said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead Easingwold onwards towards its very achievable mission of becoming the best-performing school in North Yorkshire.

“During the interview process it became clear that Easingwold School means a very great deal to governors, staff, students and the local community and I look forward to working constructively with everyone concerned to make our school one of which we can all be justifiably proud.”