PENGLAIS School governors hope to appoint a new head teacher in time for the next academic year after they confirmed arrangements for the application process.

The announcement comes after it was reported in the Cambrian News last month that headmaster Matthew Brown (pictured inset) will step down after he was successful in his application to become head of learning services at Ceredigion County Council after less than three years as head of the county’s biggest school.

The chair of Penglais’ board of governors, Richard John, said that a panel of governors has been set up to oversee the appointment of a new head teacher, and that they hoped to conclude the application process before September.

Mr John said: “The governors’ meeting was held to do two things really: first, it was for Matthew to report back on the Estyn inspectors’ monitoring visit; and second, it was to agree on a panel for the appointment of a new head teacher.

“The rules say we have to have an appointed panel made up of a minimum of three and a maximum of seven governors.

“We have gone for the maximum with a mix of experienced governors, staff governors and new governors to ensure we have a fresh view of values.

“The next step is to agree job specifications which we will be sending out to interested applicants, as well as advertising the job nationally and locally.

“The panel will also decide on a closing date for applications after which we will compile a shortlist and conduct interviews.

“The intention is to have a new appointment in place by the start of the next academic year.”

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