New head named for high school

IAN CLARKE

Peter Devonish has spoken of his “honour” at being given the “exciting challenge” of becoming the new headteacher at Dereham Neatherd High School.

The current deputy head at Hanham High School in Bristol was picked from an original list of 17 applicants to follow in the footsteps of John Horsfield, who retires this summer after 18 years at Neatherd.

“I am honoured to have been offered the post at such a successful school, serving the community in and around Dereham, and am looking forward to starting in September,” said Mr Devonish, who is a chemistry teacher.

“Parents should be very proud of the pupils at Neatherd, for both their achievements and generally exemplary behaviour.

He added: “This is an exciting challenge and I aim to build upon the excellent work of John Horsfield, working with an exceptionally talented staff and also supported by a dedicated governing body.”

Mr Devonish summed up his aims for pupils.

“I want children to be happy at school and to develop the skills needed to achieve their chosen goals and become full participants in the wider community. This is echoed by Neatherd's focus on high quality teaching and learning in an environment where there is great personal care and guidance and a huge number of successes recognised at a national level.”

He has spent most of his teaching career at four schools in the Bristol area, covering a wide variety of catchment areas, and said it would “give me a breadth of experience vital to my new role.”

Neatherd chairman of governors Susan Ferguson said there had been a high standard of applicants and Mr Devonish's energy and ability had been impressive.

“He has enthusiasm for providing the best possible education for every pupil, not just the most gifted, and preparing them to go into the outside world.”

Mrs Ferguson echoed the praise for Mr Horsfield's achievements during his time at Neatherd.