Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School in Ramsgate has a new interim headteacher following the retirement of long-serving head Debra Liddicoat.
Ben Chidwick took the reins at the start of the new school year this week.
He said: “I am honoured to be leading our amazing school, which is full of incredible young people who individually and collectively bring so much to our school and wider community. “As well as providing an exceptional curriculum delivered by inspiring subject experts, we pride ourselves on developing character, resilience and kindness- virtues that are a fundamental element of The Chatham & Clarendon Way. I look forward to providing future updates on everything that makes our school traditionally unique’.”
Ms Liddicoat officially announced her retirement on August 13, timed alongside the release of the school’s A-Level examination results.
She had served as headteacher for 14 years.
In 2024, Ofsted issued a shock grading of overall Inadequate with inspectors at that time raising concerns about pupils being taught in single-sex classes in all subjects for key stage 3 and in single-sex classes for core subjects in key stage 4.
The school ended its single sex classes in September last year and gained a Good grading across the board the same month.
That inspection team found pupils “rise to the high aspirations that the school has for them” and praised their “respectful approach.”.
Staff were recognised for how well they “demonstrate their expertise in their subjects”, and inspectors noted they are “enthused by the support that they have received”.
It was also noted how well governors engaged with external support, which helped them to develop “a greater understanding of their role and the knowledge required to achieve it”.
