John Walmsley

Today our school finally announced the new principal: John Walmsley He is currently head of a Quaker school called Sidcot in North Somerset and will assume his new position at this school in January 2012.

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Stephen Cox, Chair of Governors of the College said: “I am delighted John has accepted our offer. His track record of running a successful IB school for over 14 years together with his very broad experience of education in a wide variety of environments makes him an ideal Principal for UWC Atlantic College at this stage of its development and I look forward to working closely with him to ensure we remain at the forefront of international sixth form education.” Paul Whitehouse, Chair of Governors of Sidcot said: “We are delighted that John's hard work at Sidcot has been recognised by another school which very much shares our vision and values. In the last 10 years as Head, John has been instrumental in building the school’s academic success leading Sidcot to be the best non-selective Independent school in Bristol and Somerset for GCSE, A Level and IB. It is now our responsibility to ensure that John’s legacy of ‘happy children learn’ will continue with his successor. We thank John for his commitment to Sidcot and wish him and his family well in their new venture.” On accepting the offer, John Walmsley said: "I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to join the UWC Atlantic College community as Principal from January 2012. UWC Atlantic College and the UWC movement is an educational idea that I have been interested in all my professional life and it will be an immense privilege to lead the college in the next stage of its development. The founding principles of the UWC movement have more relevance than ever in today's complex world. One of my main aims will be to confirm UWC Atlantic College as a world centre of excellence for truly international education that promotes peace and cultural understanding and that works to remove the roots of conflict. I very much look forward to moving to St. Donat's with my family in January of next year."

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I personally think he was the best candidate of the three I saw, and so I am pleased with the decision. However, only time will tell if he will be able to move this school in a positive direction.