12th November 2019
Dear Parent / Carer
As you may know, the Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT), of which Garstang is a valued member, operates a leadership structure that encompasses the role of an Executive Principal. The post provides high level strategic input, support and challenge for the Principal and the academy’s Senior Leadership Team.
Since September 2016 the role of Executive Principal at Garstang Community Academy has been excellently undertaken by Philip Birch who also performs similar duties at Aspire Academy in Blackpool. Mr Birch has a long and distinguished association with Garstang, having overseen its successes for more than a decade.
Mr Birch is now moving into a period of phased retirement and will therefore be relinquishing his position at GCA. This has been planned for some time and FCAT have therefore have been keen to secure the input of a similarly experienced and successful Principal / Headteacher to fulfil the role of Executive Principal at Garstang.
We are delighted to report that following extensive and detailed discussion with Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe, the Governing Body of Ribblesdale have agreed to second Mr Stephen Cox to FCAT for a day and a half per week to perform the duties of Executive Principal at GCA.
Mr Cox is a National Leader of Education (NLE) and has led both Bowland High School, securing an Ofsted Outstanding judgement and more recently, Ribblesdale High School. Mr Cox has held numerous meetings with myself and Mr Birch and is now fully prepared to take over as Executive Principal in January 2019.
Alasdair Ashcroft
Principal