THE NEW head of University Academy Keighley has pledged to challenge students to achieve excellence.

Jon Skurr was appointed head of the school in Beechcliffe following leadership positions in schools across the north of England.

He will work closely with recently-transformed Bradford school Carlton Bolling which formed a ‘school improvement partnership’ with UAK last September.

The collaboration has seen the introduction of Carlton Bolling systems to the academy, with a particular focus on excellence in teaching and learning.

Under the leadership of Executive Principal Adrian Kneeshaw, Carlton Bolling set out to provide UAK students with the best educational opportunities.

Mr Skurr had a successful career in professional rugby union before entering the teaching profession, and still coaches at Wharfedale RUFC.

Since then he has held leadership positions in schools across the North of England as well as working as a local authority education consultant.

A UAK spokesman said: “We are very pleased Jon has made the move to UAK at this exciting time for the academy.

“Jon’s ethos is to aspire to be the very best in everything and to provide challenge to students to ensure engagement, which results in excellence in attendance, attitudes to learning and, ultimately, great outcomes.

“Students will leave UAK well prepared for life in modern Britain and ready to take on new challenges to achieve their ambitions.”

As Executive Principal of Carlton Bolling, Adrian Kneeshaw is credited with transforming the fortunes of the school over the past few years.

Under his leadership the school moved out of Special Measures to an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ in less than two years in 2017, and gained World Class School Quality Mark status in 2018.

In their 2017 report, Ofsted stated: ‘pupils’ behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary’ and ‘teaching, learning and assessment and achievement are outstanding’.

University Academy Keighley was classed as ‘inadequate’ in June 2016 after Ofsted inspectors found that too few pupils made expected progress.

The school has turned itself around by autumn 2017, when inspectors returned to the school and moved it up a grade, while still requiring improvement in every category.

During the second inspection Ofsted said pupils made better progress, and said leaders has recognised some aspects of the curriculum were not “fit for purpose”.

In November last year UAK sixth form has been proposed for closure due to falling numbers of students entering the sixth form.