New head vows to build upon college success

Mr Barton is already Interim Principal at the academy, having taken over from former Principal Danny Smith.

Mr Barton said: “These are exciting times for The Dukeries Academy and I’m delighted to be leading this inspiring school.

“My aims are to build on the current strengths, develop a greater focus on enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, and take the academy to outstanding in all areas.”

“Working with our sponsor, my aim is to ensure pupils have access to the best possible opportunities and experiences during their education, so that they can reach their full potential and are better prepared for the future. This includes developing new technology opportunities, such as an immersive 3D learning environment.

“I very much share The Trust’s ethos around developing pupils as individuals and not just learners, and I strongly believe that together we can achieve whatever we set out to accomplish.”

Mr Barton comes to his new role at The Dukeries Academy with extensive educational experience, most recently as Vice Principal at an outstanding academy in Walsall.

Here he was responsible for teaching, learning and innovation and oversaw the introduction of £2m worth of new technologies to support learning.

Prior to this he was Assistant Headteacher at St Edmunds Catholic School in Wolverhampton, focussing on maths and computing specialisms.

and has also taught in New Zealand and London.

He currently lives in Lichfield and enjoys spending time with his two children, as well as watching rugby.

Joyce Hodgetts, Managing Director of The Trust, commented: “We are keen to continue to build a rewarding and proactive learning environment for our pupils, nurturing their potential at every stage, and I know that in his role as Principal, Ian will go above and beyond to achieve this.

“Under his strong leadership, everybody involved with the academy will share the same high aspirations for behaviour and achievement, as well as cementing The Dukeries Academy’s strong position within the local community.”