Midhurst Rother Valley Principal & Senior Team Appointed & Academy named
Former Head Boy of Midhurst Grammar School appointed Principal Designate
Academy to be named Midhurst Rother College
The United Learning Trust (ULT) has today announced that Dr Joe Vitagliano has been appointed Principal Designate of the proposed academy in Midhurst.
A former pupil of both Herbert Shiner School and Midhurst Grammar School, Dr Vitagliano is currently Head Teacher of Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School in the London Borough of Bexley.
Dr Vitagliano, whose parents still live in the area, was Head Boy of Midhurst Grammar School in 1977/78 where he was a keen footballer and took part in many of the school’s drama productions. After leaving MGS, he studied English and Philosophy at the University of York and obtained post graduate degrees in English Literature; his M.A. from the University of London and his Ph.D from the University of Cambridge.
His teaching career has included positions as Head of English and as Deputy Head of Robertsbridge Community College in East Sussex and The Cooper’s Company and Coborn School in London.
It was also announced today that the proposed academy will be called Midhurst Rother College. This was one of several names suggested during Dame Jocelyn Barrow’s public consultation and reflects the entire rural area that will be served by the academy as well as its links to Winchester College.
Making the announcements, Sir Ewan Harper, Chief Executive of the United Learning Trust, said:
"We were delighted to attract an outstanding field of candidates for the post of Principal. Dr Vitagliano therefore won this position against high quality competition. He brings with him a combination of educational leadership, innovation and academic achievement which will ensure that Midhurst Rother College has the best possible start.
"In addition to his professional experience, Dr Vitagliano’s local roots offer some continuity in the traditions of Herbert Shiner School and Midhurst Grammar School. By naming the academy Midhurst Rother College, we are encapsulating both the history of education in the area and the future opportunities that the partnership with Winchester College offers for accelerating academic achievement."
Two Vice Principals have also been appointed to the academy. Chris Denne, currently Head of Midhurst Intermediate will become Senior Vice Principal with specific responsibility for Years 7-9. Jonathan Barrott, Acting Head Teacher at Midhurst Grammar School has been appointed Senior Vice Principal with responsibility for Years 10-13.
Announcing these appointments, Sir Ewan Harper said:
"We are delighted to be appointing two outstanding people as Vice Principals for the academy. Their appointments re-enforce the quality of work being undertaken in the existing schools and their commitment to the academy going forward.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Vitagliano said:
"This is the dream job for me. I am coming back to the area I grew up in and love. There have been more than 300 years of education in Midhurst and this is the beginning of a new era. To have the opportunity to take three precious local schools that I know well and transform them into a successful, thriving academy is incredibly exciting.
"The chosen name for the academy captures the idea of what education should be in this area; bringing children together from all over the Rother Valley and centring their education in Midhurst."
