New Principal Appointed at KES Academy

At the end of the autumn term, King Edward VII Academy said a heartfelt goodbye to its Principal, Sarah Hartshorn. We are pleased to welcome Darren Hollingsworth, previously Principal at Cromer Academy, to move into the role of Principal from 1st January 2024. 

Ms Hartshorn joined KES Academy as Principal in 2019 and has seen the secondary school and sixth form through a variety of changes and improvements in this time. Passionate about the school’s rich 500+ year history, Ms Hartshorn has been clear in her aim to improve standards at the school and support students to achieve their best, continuing to uphold the school’s prestigious legacy. Under her leadership, the school has seen improved outcomes, having achieved the best GCSE results for English and Maths in King’s Lynn in 2023. We thank her for her hard work and wish her all the very best in the future.  

Ms Hartshorn said:  

“I promised that I would make this school a place that staff and students could once again be proud of. I know that this has been achieved: getting the best results for English and Maths in Kings Lynn this year was just a taste of what this school has to offer but it is only one indicator or what makes a great school. Its true success lies in the ethos and culture that can be seen and felt in the corridors and classroom, in the voices of its students and staff...King Edward VII Academy has a great heart and amazing staff and students, I will always look fondly on my time as its Principal and will look forward to seeing its continued success come to fruition.” 

Mr Hollingsworth has been a successful Principal at Cromer Academy, recently seeing the school through a ‘Good’ Ofsted inspection. Prior to this, he was Vice Principal at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy and has been part of Inspiration Trust since 2016. Mr Hollingsworth currently leads on the Department for Education Behaviour Hubs programme. He has an excellent track record of leadership and improving outcomes for pupils. He has worked tirelessly to build links with his school and the locality at Cromer, ensuring the school is at the heart of the community, and it is this approach that he intends to bring to KES Academy. 

Mr Hollingsworth said: 

“There are few schools steeped in such tradition as King Edward VII Academy and I am excited to be part of its next chapter.”  

We are confident that Mr Hollingsworth, supported by Inspiration Trust, and the committed staff team at KES, will continue to ensure the best possible education for KES pupils and forge strong links with parents, carers, and the wider community.