Principal appointed for proposed new Brent academy

ACADEMY sponsor EACT has appointed Bev Bell as its principal designate as it prepares to open a new academy in Brent replacing John Kelly Girls’ technology college in September.

Mrs Bell is currently principal of the technology college, which is earmarked to become a new academy backed by EACT with plans to build a new multi-million-pound academy to replace the old school.

The 52-year-old qualified as a teacher in 1978 and has held senior appointments in four London schools, including as acting principal of Hampton Community College, and Heston Community School, where she was assistant headteacher.

Sir Bruce Liddington, former Schools Commissioner for England and EACT’s Director General, was chairman of the panel that appointed Mrs Bell. He said: “Bev has an excellent track-record as a teacher and school leader. She has a clear vision for school improvement and we are looking forward to working with her as the school prepares to transform into a high-achieving academy which, within three years, will be housed in a state-of-the-art new building.”

Mrs Bell said she was delighted to be appointed. She said: “An academy will provide the girls and the community with an excellent facility for learning. First and foremost we are making the right decisions for the benefit of our students now and in the future and I’m looking forward to leading the school through this change. I want existing and future students to enjoy access to the best possible education, together with the latest facilities, from cutting-edge technology to excellent classrooms, theatre and sports facilities.”

• Multi-academy sponsor EACT is planning to open eight new academies in 2009 in London (Brent), Birmingham, Leeds and Sheffield. Further academies are planned in 2010. Edutrust’s Trent Valley Academy in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, opened in September 2008. It moves to a new £33 million purpose-built academy building in September this year.