Principal designate announced

by Alan Brooks  on April 15, 2013  in  Academy News

The new Kensington Aldridge Academy, which will open in September 2014, has announced the appointment of Mr. David Benson as the school’s first Principal. Mr Benson, who is currently Vice Principal in charge of Teaching and Learning, Assessment and Curriculum at Ark Academy in Brent, will take up his position this September.

The new Academy will provide much-needed additional secondary school places as part of a wider regeneration of North Kensington, and will be co-located with a new leisure centre.  The flagship London Academy of lead sponsor The Aldridge Foundation, the Academy is co-sponsored by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.  It will be an inclusive, non-selective school catering for 1,140 local students once fully open, and have a strong community focus.

Sir Rod Aldridge, Chairman of the Aldridge Foundation, said: “We had a strong response to our advert for the role with some very good candidates to choose from. The interview process was a rigorous one, involving heads and teachers for our Academies, both sponsors and young people from the local community.”

“David has lived and worked locally in West London for many years. He joined his previous school nine months before opening and as a founding Vice Principal played a central role in its creation. He therefore brings a depth of knowledge about the area and the opportunities that come with starting a new Academy to his role in Kensington.”

The Kensington Aldridge Academy will be an exceptional school and that requires an exceptional Principal as leader. In David, I am confident we have found just that.”

Principal Designate David Benson said: “Our aim is to create a school which has the very highest standards – both in terms of academic teaching and life beyond the classroom. We will develop our students into confident, articulate young people whose education fully equips them for university or the career of their choice. I am excited to work with the community and our partners to build a truly excellent new school here in Kensington and Chelsea.”

In addition to delivering high standards of academic attainment, the Academy will specialise in Performing and Creative Arts, and, in common with all of the Aldridge Foundation’s sponsored academies, will have a focus on developing entrepreneurial skills and encouraging the creation of school-based social enterprises.