Ian Tucker – photo above – has been appointed Principal of St. John’s Academy following the promotion of the previous Principal, Nicky Edmondson to head up the Excalibur Academies Trust. He is currently Headteacher of Abbeyfield School in Chippenham.
In a letter to parents Nicky Edmondson and Jane Butler, Chair of Governors said, “Following a rigorous selection process, Ian was the unanimous choice of the selection panel and we are confident that he will provide excellent leadership of the academy in the next stage of its development.”
“Ian has a proven track record of raising standards in a number of schools as well as in his current role and will bring a wealth of experience and expertise. He is very much looking forward to taking up his new post.”
Ian Tucker, 47, has been Headteacher at Abbeyfield since 2014. The school’s 2017 Ofsted report rated the effectiveness of leadership of the school as outstanding and commented: “The Headteacher has created a culture of success that parents, pupils and staff support.”
Before Abbeyfield, Ian was Associate Headteacher at Rushden Community College in Northamptonshire on a secondment from his post as Headteacher at St. Mary’s CE Primary School in Purton. His first headship was at Lyneham Junior School.
Originally from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, Ian is married with two sons and a daughter and lives in Malmesbury. His wife is a deputy-head at a Swindon primary school.
Ian told marlborough.news: “Having been a Headteacher in Wiltshire for some time now, I have always seen St. John’s in Marlborough as a flagship school and one that schools aspire to become more like. When the opportunity came up to become the Principal, it was one that I simply could not resist.”
“To have been appointed to the role is a real honour and privilege and I cannot wait to start working with the Excalibur Academy Trust and the community of Marlborough to build on the outstanding reputation that St John’s has. I look forward to starting the job of Principal and immersing myself in the life of the school and the town and villages it serves.”
Assistant Vice Principal Dan Rogan is currently Acting Principal at St. John’s until Ian Tucker takes over the role sometime in 2019.