He has no staff, no school, and as yet no pupils, but the first head teacher of Parkside Secondary School in Cullingworth has no qualms about his task.

Dr Tony Rickwood, currently deputy head of Crossley Heath School, a grant maintained secondary in Halifax, will take up his position in Easter 2000.

But new school, based at the former Parkside Middle School, will not open its doors to pupils until the September.

The 45-year-old from Oxenhope has already begun preparatory work ensuring an extension - creating additional laboratories and classrooms - is carried out satisfactorily. He will also have to appoint 30 teachers and ancillary staff for the school which will cater for 1,080 pupils.

Dr Rickwood, who expects to be based at the middle school from April 2000, said: "It's ideal. I have quite a passion for education and to be given the opportunity to begin your own school almost from scratch is great.

"I really feel I will have the chance to put my own educational philosophy into action. The one thing I am really keen to stress is excellence of achievement for every individual. I want everyone to get the best out of their education and feel they have reached their potential.

"It is going to be an excellent school academically and excellent in community relations. We have a wonderful community and I am already part of it.

Dr Rickwood has been a teacher for 20 years and is proud of his local pedigree. His grandparents come from Saltaire and both his grandfather and great grandfather worked in Salts Mill.

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