News feedSir Bruce Liddington returns to academies programme
Sir Bruce, the former Schools Commissioner for England, is the newly-appointed Director General of EACT with a remit to develop and improve educational prospects for pupils in the trust’s academies.
The Chairman of EACT, Lord Bhatia, said Sir Bruce’s appointment signals the organisation’s commitment to developing centres of excellence in its proposed new academies in London, Oldham, Leeds, and Birmingham. Edutrust’s first academy, Trent Valley in Gainsborough, is preparing to move to its new £33 million purpose-built building in September.
Sir Bruce, who as a headteacher transformed the failing Northampton School for Boys into one of the country’s most successful state schools, was a key figure in the academies programme during its formation at the then Department for Education.
He said: “Academies are the key to providing investment to help transform education for pupils of all ages. As well as providing excellent new facilities, every aspect of an academy is reviewed and developed to make sure we have the best leadership, teaching and curriculum. At EACT we are focusing on getting the basics right in schools where performance has been an issue. That means focusing on good quality teaching; raising expectations of pupils; strong discipline and good attendance. When you add these ingredients to the sponsorship and partnership opportunities available then our academies will be capable of delivering a better deal for pupils, especially in schools where, historically, there have been lower levels of attainment.”
Lord Bhatia, the founder and Chairman of Edutrust, said: “I am committed to developing educational excellence in all of our academies and Bruce’s role will be critical. Working with our team of senior advisers he will set the standard and provide the educational leadership that will support schools as they transfer to academies and work towards improvement.”
Sir Bruce Liddington qualified as a teacher after graduating from Queen Mary College, University of London. Following senior teaching appointments in Staffordshire and Buckinghamshire, he was appointed head of Northampton School for Boys in 1986. He joined the Department for Education in 1999 and held senior posts in the academies team before being appointed Schools Commissioner for England.
