Parliament Hill and Acland Burghley ‘superhead’ likely to keep dual role

A “superhead” running two secondary schools is set to continue in the role into the next academic year.

Parliament Hill School headteacher Sue Higgins was brought in to lead Acland Burghley School following the resignation of former head Jo Armitage in March.

Acland Burghley’s governors have said they are now “optimistic” that Ms Higgins will stay in the top job at both schools from September – and have hinted that they are considering extending the arrangement for the entire academic year.

It follows the shock resignation of Paul Guenault just days after his appointment as Ms Armitage’s successor in May.

Dr John Clark, chairman of governors at Acland Burghley, told parents in the school’s bulletin: “We are in discussion with all involved to put initial plans in place by mid-June.

“This way of working with another school is novel so there’s much for us to learn. More thorough planning is required for a year’s partnership.”

Dr Clark added that the governors have begun planning the recruitment of a new headteacher.

Ms Armitage resigned in January after an Ofsted report downgraded the school from “good” to “requires improvement”.