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Announcement of Head of Wells Cathedral School

The Governing Body of Wells Cathedral School is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Alastair Tighe as Head of Wells Cathedral School with effect from 1 September 2018. Governors conducted an extensive and rigorous selection process interviewing a wide range of very experienced applicants. Alastair was the unanimous choice of both the Governing Body and its consultants. He shone at all stages of the selection process. The Chair of Governors, the Very Reverend Dr John Davies DL, says: From the first moment of meeting, my colleagues and I were hugely impressed by Alastair’s vision, energy, experience and rigour. He strode past other well qualified applicants. His track record at Oundle, Eltham College and Bedford School, together with his clear interest in music and the whole curriculum, set alongside his strong academic ability, made him the outstanding candidate. Alastair Tighe is a Cambridge graduate and was formerly an Organ Scholar at Magdalene College, Cambridge, a Cathedral Choral Scholar and he is currently Deputy Head (Academic) at Bedford School. His current Head at Bedford, James Hodgson, says of Alastair: Alastair has been absolutely superb in developing and transforming the academic life of this school. He is focussed, collaborative and dedicated to progress. The current Principal of Wells Cathedral School, Elizabeth Cairncross, says: I am very pleased indeed to be handing the leadership of Wells Cathedral School to Alastair Tighe next September. His experience and track record in a range of good schools, his musicianship and commitment to high standards in all round education, make him ideally suited for school leadership. Because he understands that Wells is uniquely complex and has a vision for its future development and sustainability he is particularly well suited to the leadership of this very special place. He will sustain values and create important change, and I look forward to working with him over the next eight months. This is an exciting time for the school, and, I hope for him!’’ A message from Alastair Tighe: I am thrilled to be Wells Cathedral School’s next Head. It will be a privilege to play my part in the school’s long and distinguished history. I have been hugely impressed by the pride which pupils have in their school, and I look forward to sharing in their achievements, from world-class music making to superb sporting endeavour, from academic excellence to charitable concern. Wells Cathedral School’s ethos, providing opportunities for all and nurturing their talents and passions, chimes absolutely with my own philosophy. I look forward to working alongside the school’s outstanding academic, music, pastoral and support staff, and leading a caring and creative school, which continues to draw on the spiritual and aesthetic life of the city and its great cathedral. Yours sincerely The Very Revd Dr John Davies DL Dean of Wells Chair of Governors, Wells Cathedral School