November 29, 2012 1.34 pm This story is over 136 months old

Lincoln headteacher to manage regional Nation Citizen scheme

New role: A local headteacher will shortly be in charge of delivering the region’s National Citizen Service scheme.

A headmaster from a Lincoln school has been chosen to help deliver the Citizenship programme in the East Midlands.

The Priory City of Lincoln Academy Phil Ryland joins the Lincoln-based Education Business Partnership (EBP) from January to work with its National Citizen Service team.

The National Citizen Service is a government scheme aimed at 15 to 16-year-olds. Through outdoor activities and community work, it helps young people develop a host of useful skills to put on their CVs.

Mr Ryland said: “It is an exciting project which has the potential to benefit a great many young people and, as such, it is an opportunity which I could not turn down.

“One of the key elements of our Academy ethos has been the desire to raise aspirations and to encourage students to grasp new opportunities and to gain new experiences.

“The same applies equally to me when an opening like this comes along.”

The new role means he will be stepping down from his role, which he has held for over four years, as headmaster, and Jane Hopkinson, the Federation’s Director of Student Standards and a former Deputy Head at The Priory Academy LSST, will step in until a new headteacher is found.

He added: “I am very proud of what we have achieved at City of Lincoln over the past four years. I know that I am leaving the Academy in the safe hands of the Federation.”

Lincolnshire has run the NCS three times, with 700 young people taking part. Of those, 28 were from The Priory Federation of Academies.

Priory Federation Chairman Howard Gee said:”A pilot scheme at LSST last year was particularly well received and we are very keen to be part of the next phase.

“I thank Phil warmly for all that he has done. It is not possible to stand in the way of such an exciting opportunity, so I wish him every success in his new role and look forward to working with him in the future in a different capacity.

He added: “We hope to attract a strong field for what is an outstanding opportunity to lead an Academy with brand new, state-of-the-art facilities, a respectful and positive student body and talented and professional staff.”

Source: Priory Federation Of Academies Trust