New headteacher settles in at Barry Comprehensive School (From Barry And District News)
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New headteacher settles in at Barry Comprehensive School
8:40am Friday 7th September 2012 in News By Sharon Harris
TOP CLASS: Year seven pupils make new headteacher Gerard McNamara feel welcome in the school restaurant.
YEAR seven pupils at Barry Comprehensive have taken their first steps at the school – alongside their new headteacher Gerard McNamara, who has enrolled long-term!
The 37-year-old dad-of-three takes over from acting headteacher, now deputy, Jenny Ford, who temporarily led the school following the retirement of former head David Swallow OBE.
Mr McNamara, originally from Limerick, graduated with a BA (Hons) in geography and physical education from Liverpool University and gained a distinction in his Masters degree in school leadership and management.
An Estyn-trained peer inspector, he taught in schools in north west England, north Wales and most recently Pontypridd - where he gained acting headteacher experience - before taking up his new Barry role.
Mr McNamara is a Munster rugby union and Everton football club fan who enjoys travelling – with Iceland, Romania, and Japan being some of his favourites - with travel books and autobiographies top on his reading list. He said he wants to continue the school's strong and traditional links working with and for the community.
"I am really looking forward to working with all the boys from diverse backgrounds," he said.
"We have an excellent curriculum here - a range of subjects that pupils can be inspired with."
He said he also aims to work closely with Barry primary schools to ensure the smooth transition from primary to secondary level, and also with Bryn Hafren and Cardiff and Vale College.
"Barry Comprehensive is a very good school and we are striving to become an excellent school - and this can be achieved with the pupils, parents and staff,” said Mr McNamara.
"We have to make sure pupils are focused and getting the best out of school.
"We have very inspiring, creative and enthusiastic teachers here who pupils respond to, and that gets the best out of them "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at school. They were the best days of my life and it's important pupils mirror that experience.
“I would like to say how welcoming the staff and the governors have been,” he added.
"They have made me feel very relaxed and I am looking forward to making Barry Comprehensive an excellent school."
