Nick will lead academy trust

THE former principal of Fairfield High School, Nick Lewis, has been appointed chief executive of Excalibur Academies.

Mr Lewis, who will take up the post in September, succeeds Nicky Edmondson will step down after six successful years.

Excalibur has 20 schools, including Fairfield, Redland Green and Ashton Park secondaries and Cabot, May Park, Ashton Vale, Luckwell and Compass Point primaries in Bristol.

Mr Lewis is currently director of secondary improvement for the trust and describes himself as an “unashamedly optimistic and values driven leader”.

He said: “I am incredibly happy and proud that I will be leading such a wonderful organisation, working with and for so many incredible young people, and with an exceptional team of profes-sionals who are focused on providing the best opportunities possible for our students.

“As a large trust, the communities that we serve have much in common, but also unique needs that our academies must recognise and serve. It is also important to acknowledge that all of our communities are facing a number of unprecedented challenges at this time, and I am commit-ted to listening and working with each academy community to ensure that our trust has an identifiable and positive impact in supporting every community”.

“I have personal experience of the transformational power of education, especially for those from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds, and I will carry this passion for equity and fairness with me as I lead the trust into the future.”

Chair of Excalibur trustees Toby Watson said “Nick has been an inspirational leader within our trust for many years. His passionate belief in the value of high quality education for all, with an acute focus on inclusivity, equity, and the pursuit of excellence, means he is perfectly aligned with the values of our trust, and we are confident he will continue to progress the great achievements of the trust in improving the lives of the young people and communities that we serve”.