An award-winning headteacher has announced that he will be leaving a north Powys secondary school after three years in the role.

Philip Jones said leading Caereinion High School had been “hugely rewarding despite the challenges”.

He joined the bilingual school in January 2019 following the departure of Iona Davies, and within 12 months of leading the school, he won the Judges’ Special Award at the 2019 Powys Business Awards, for embracing the business community and seeing the benefits of partnership working.

Mr Jones said he has since accepted a secondment with Powys County Council in developing links with local businesses and colleges.

 

Powys Business Awards 2019..Winner of the Judges Award, Phil Jones, Caereinion High School..Picture by Phil Blagg..PB490-2019-102.

Phil Jones, Judges Award winner at 2019 Powys Business Awards. Pictured by Phil Blagg.

 

Ysgol Llanfyllin’s current assistant headteacher Huw Lloyd-Jones will lead the new Ysgol Bro Caereinion – a merger of the Llanfair Caereinion’s primary and secondary schools.

Philip Jones was made Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School in Wales when he led Heolddu Comprehensive School in Caerphilly in 2009.

The headteacher, who is originally from Neath, south Wales, and has more than 30 years’ experience in education, said his best times had come at Caereinion High School.

 

Caereinion High School new head teacher Mr Phil Jones..Pictured from left to right, Isobell Arrowsmith, Frances Andew, Dylan Bridgen (Head Boy) Phil Jones (Head Teacher) Agatha Titley (Head Girl) Laura Bebb and Ieuan Lowther..Pictured by Phil

Caereinion High School headteacher Phil Jones with the 2018-19 Head Boys and Girls. Pictured by Phil Blagg.

Caereinion High School pupils and staff took part in the Race For Life - Race at your Place event at the High School last Tuesday 9th July..Pictured is Headteacher Phil Jones..Picture by Phil Blagg..PB328-2019-34.

Headteacher Phil Jones took part in the Race For Life event at the secondary school in July 2019. Picture by Phil Blagg

 

Mr Jones said: “It is with a heavy heart that I inform the wider Caereinion community, that I will be stepping down from my role as headteacher at the high school at Easter.

“In effect, my last day will be Friday, April 8, as I have been offered, and accepted, a secondment with Powys CC in developing vocational links with local businesses and colleges.

“Many thanks for your support during my three years in post. It has been hugely rewarding despite the challenges, especially throughout Covid, and made all the more enjoyable with the honesty and trust between us all. Diolch yn fawr iawn.”

Opening in September 2022, Ysgol Bro Caereinon will be the result of a merger between the current sites of Llanfair Caereinion CP School and Caereinion High School.

The decision to merge the primary and high school to establish an all-age school was made by Powys County Council in 2021 to help the council deliver its strategy for transforming education.