Hockerill Anglo-European College principal David Woods resigns
Hockerill Anglo-European College is looking for a new head after David Woods’ resignation as principal after less than four years in post.
Mr Woods will leave the Dunmow Road state secondary at the end of 2024, but has offered to stay until next Easter if his successor cannot start in January 2025, to avoid the need for an interim appointment.
He joined the international day and boarding school in August 2020 from the International School of Geneva, succeeding Richard Markham, who left in July 2019 after six years in the role.
Chairman of governors John Stenhouse said in a letter to parents: “He is leaving us to pursue further opportunities in education that will leverage his many years as a senior educationalist and considerable leadership expertise.
“David will leave firm in the knowledge that the college is in a far stronger position than when he arrived. Under his leadership, the college has significantly reduced its carbon footprint, gained a new sixth form centre and made many other improvements in facilities, most noticeably with the security of the campus.
“David has improved diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace and has also navigated the college through Covid, Ofsted, IB (International Baccalaureate) reaccreditation and a cyberattack.
“Our IB results have continued to be at the very top end of the IB schools globally and our position in the various league tables has also continued to be exceptional.”
Last summer, the school announced that 118 Year 13 students had taken the IB exams – an alternative to A-levels – that year and achieved an average point score of 33, above the global average of 30.24. One in six of those awarded the diploma gained 40 points or more – equivalent to an A-level score of four A*s and one A.
“I personally cannot thank David enough for his leadership, resilience and professionalism through a period of great challenge for the school, and his ability to maintain the focus on attainment and achievement throughout.
“On behalf of the board, David goes with our very best wishes for his new ventures and with our considerable thanks. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all he has achieved here during his term of office.
“Finally, we would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to David’s wife, Stephanie, for her support of the college and send them both our very best wishes for their new future.”
