A SECONDARY school has appointed a new headteacher who says he is "absolutely delighted" to take on the new role.

The Costello School, in Crossborough Hill, has announced the appointment of Mr Andrew Conway as its new substantive Headteacher.

Mr Conway has served as acting headteacher since May and will lead the school into its next phase following a "rigorous selection process."

He said: "I am absolutely delighted to take on this role full-time and look forward to working closely with our dedicated staff and wider Costello community.

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Mr Conway with pupils at The Costello SchoolMr Conway with pupils at The Costello School (Image: The Costello School)

"Together, I have no doubt that we will continue to strive for excellence in education and ensure that every student reaches their full potential."

Before joining The Costello School as Deputy Headteacher, Mr Conway was Head of Sixth Form at Yateley School, a provision which was recognised as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and achieved results in the top 25 per cent nationally. He holds an MBA and National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL).

Mr Conway plans to engage with parents and carers shortly to discuss his vision for the school’s future and is "committed to strengthening relationships within the Costello School community."

He is also keen to collaborate with colleagues across Bohunt Education Trust’s other eight schools and continue to foster a supportive environment for both staff and students.

Hilary Todd, Chair of Governors, said: "We are confident that Mr Conway’s leadership will guide The Costello School towards achieving even greater success.

"His experience and commitment to educational excellence make him an ideal fit for our school community."

Mr Conway was chosen from a "deep and diverse pool of candidates, including currently serving headteachers and deputy headteachers."

The selection involved a series of challenging assessments, including teaching demonstrations and interviews conducted by panels comprising members from the Costello Local Governing Body, the Bohunt Education Trust, staff and students.

Neil Strowger, Trust Leader at Bohunt Education Trust, said: "Andy has been instrumental to The Costello School’s success since joining in September 2023 and brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in educational leadership.

"Andy will have the full support of an active and experienced Board of Governors, a talented senior leadership team and a dedicated staff body.

"We are thrilled to see how he will build on the strong foundations already in place at The Costello School."

Readers can find out more about The Costello School at: www.costelloschool.co.uk