Mr Anthony Comerford, Principal of Brackenfield School is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Patricia Sowa as the future Headteacher for the school from the start of the Summer Term 2015. She will follow in the footsteps of Mrs Judith Skillington who retires this year, having successfully led the school since 2005.
Brackenfield was founded in 1977 by Mrs Margie Sutcliffe and retains a strong link with its heritage as Harrogate’s only stand-alone preparatory school which combines traditional family values with a rich curriculum and the best of contemporary teaching practice.
Finding a new Headteacher is always a critical appointment for any school so, determined to find the best, a rigorous recruitment process was undertaken, led by Anthony Millard Consulting, a leading Headteacher recruitment consultancy. Mrs Sowa was selected from a very strong field for the role.
Mr Comerford explained: The interview panel had an excellent field of candidates from which to choose and were most impressed with Mrs Sowa’s leadership skills and vision for building on the successful foundations of the school to further enhance the education for our pupils.
Mrs Sowa has known Brackenfield for 15 years. Firstly as a parent under the founder, Mrs Margie Sutcliffe and, for the last seven years as Director of Studies, Head of English and Year Six Form Tutor. She works closely with Mrs Skillington in her current role and both are looking forward to a smooth transition.
Mrs Sowa said: It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead such a fantastic school which combines a truly family atmosphere with passionate teachers who create high expectations and offer the right support to enable every child to be the best that they can be.
I am very proud of what we have achieved so far and am excited at about our plans for the future of the Brackenfield Family.
