New Executive Headteacher Appointment

The Fermain Academy is delighted to announce that Simon Cotterill has been appointed as Executive Headteacher and officially starts work with the academy in September 2024.

This is an exciting development in the academy’s ambitious next steps following their recent expansion to becoming a school for 90 students; this also follows the recent appointment of Emma Sandbach to the role of Head of The Fermain Academy Skills Centre, the new centre that is aiming to be a beacon of best practice in Vocational Learning.

Simon joins The Fermain Academy as a highly experienced and successful headteacher from Manor Park School and Nursery in Knutsford. The school is well known within Cheshire East for its impressive track record, pastoral care and creative curriculum but is also recognised as one of the top educational establishments in the country in terms of academic achievement; it is ranked in the top 4% of schools for writing nationally, the top 7% of schools for Maths and the top 15% schools for reading.

Simon has already begun his induction process with the school and said “I am very much looking forward to leading The Fermain Academy and working alongside the fabulous staff and students. Having already spent some time in the school, it is clear that exciting times are ahead!”.

Helen Phillips, Director of Education for Youth Engagement Schools Trust which oversees the school, said “We are thrilled to welcome Simon into the YES Trust family. His passion and drive will empower him to lead the Fermain Academy into the next stage of this exciting journey. We are greatly looking forward to working alongside him!”.