Children at Weobley High School will return from the summer vacation to a new head teacher as the school's governing body has filled the vacancy left by Sue Woodrow.
Dean Williams is currently deputy head teacher at Fairfield High School, Peterchurch and will become the new head teacher at Weobley when the existing head, Sue Woodrow takes up the headship of Aylestone High School in September.
Dean, aged 38 and with two primary school-aged children of his own, has a track record of success working in a small rural secondary school. He has been instrumental in transforming Fairfield High School into an outstanding school and has played a leading role in curriculum reform. He has implemented, delivered and assessed a wide range of GCSE and vocational courses as well as holding a senior pastoral role within the school.
Originally from Swansea, he attended secondary school in East London and lived in Germany for a brief period before studying modern languages and information systems in Bristol. He returned to East London to complete his teacher-training and then spent a short period working in special schools in Paris.
In 1992 Dean took up his first full-time teaching post at a school in Worcestershire where he taught French, Spanish, German and physical education. In 1996 he joined Fairfield High School in Herefordshire as head of modern foreign languages where he has remained for the past twelve years; the past four years as deputy head teacher.
Tim Stiles, chair of governors, said: "We are excited about the vision Dean has to take our school forward and are confident that he has the strength and ability to carry that vision through. All in all we feel that he is a very worthy successor to Mrs Woodrow."
"I'll be sorry to leave Fairfield High School as it has been incredibly rewarding working with such a committed staff and a visionary head teacher; I will really miss the pupils too," said Dean. He continued, "However, I'm very excited about taking up my new post at Weobley High School.
"I'm looking forward to working with the staff, the pupils and the community to continue the excellent progress that has taken place there over the past few years. I believe in a high-quality educational experience for all with pupils fully engaged and challenged by a stimulating curriculum and inspirational teaching. I relish the opportunity to develop this vision at Weobley High School as its new head teacher."