Local Man is New Head of Chiswick Community School

with ambitions to make the school a 'first choice' secondary

Governors at Chiswick Community School have announced the appointment of Anthony Ryan as Headteacher - from September 2010.

Andrew Dodge, Chair of Governors said, ''‘we have appointed not only the perfect candidate but, as an added bonus, a headteacher born and bred in Chiswick.''

His enthusiasm is shared by Mr Ryan, he says, ''I believe this post offers a unique opportunity to build upon the fantastic work done over the last three years by Alan Howson and the staff, governors and students at Chiswick Community School.''

Mr Ryan has built up a considerable portfolio of success in a wide range of schools. He cut his teeth in inner London comprehensives as a teacher of Design-Technology and IT and is currently Principal of Brunel College at The Leigh Technology Academy in Dartford, where he has worked for four years, a school with a well-deserved reputation as one of the most innovative schools in the UK.

He was drawn to the school by the once in a lifetime benefits that BSF and Trust and Foundation status offer but also by the tremendous atmosphere he felt and the warm welcome he received on interview.

He says, ''If I needed to be convinced that this was the right job for me (and I did not need much convincing), then the staff and students met over the course of the two days of interview firmly persuaded me that I was making the right decision.''

Mr Ryan’s passion for education stems from his own experiences at school, whilst he freely admits that, ‘Secondary education never really got the best out of me!’ he is quick to point out that coming to teaching relatively late following a six year apprenticeship as a mechanic has made him the, ‘educator he is today.’ It helped him to form his bottom line: ‘Irrespective of ability, it is not acceptable for any student in my care to achieve below ability and not to realise the potential that they have within.’

Although Mr. Ryan now happily lives with his wife and three children aged 15,10 and 5 in Woking, he has a longstanding connection with Chiswick.

As a student of Strand on the Green Primary School, an enthusiastic footballer on Harvard Hill Recreation Ground and a former resident of Grove Park he is ‘Chiswick born and bred’.

He was elected Life Vice-President of Old Meadonians FC last year and manages to turn out for the 8th team on a fairly regular basis.

Mr Ryan retains strong family links with the area. He views his appointment as ‘coming home’ and his commitment to the area resounds in his determination to, ‘make Chiswick the first choice secondary school for all local parents and students.’

He's keen to take up the new positions and says, ''The greatest sense of achievement from my current post is that we have built a learning community so secure in its own ability that one feels that almost anything is possible. I look forward to building on the strong foundations set at Chiswick Community School as we aspire to be the very best that we can be.''‘

May 11, 2010