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TONY Billings.
All Hallows new head is former pupil
Jenny Kirby8/ 3/2006
AN ALL Hallows old boy is "delighted" to be returning to the classrooms of the school - only this time as its new headteacher.
Former pupil Tony Billings, 43, was appointed last Friday and says he can't wait to take up the post in September.
"I am absolutely delighted to be taking over, it is a gem of a school. When interviewed, I met some very intelligent, articulate children," he said.
"I loved it at All Hallows as a pupil and can't wait to go back as headteacher. I have very fond memories of my time there - it has a supportive, warm, family-orientated community and I remember that it was this school which set me out on my successful path, being the first person in my family to get a degree."
As a pupil, Tony left All Hallows in 1982, after studying for A Levels in Chemistry, Biology and Theology.
His dad Jim Billings still lives in Macclesfield and Tony says moving back to Macclesfield will now be on the cards.
Tony, who is married with two boys and a girl, is currently head of Stuart Bathurst Catholic School and College of Performing Arts in the West Midlands.
After a very large amount of applications were whittled down to a shortlist, six candidates were then put through a three-day intensive interview process.
On the interviewing panel were representatives from the governing body, the diocese and the local authority.
Prospective candidates were even interviewed by the school council.
Tony, who is a Roman Catholic, trained to be a teacher in Liverpool.
His teaching career began as an RE teacher in Derbyshire, before becoming head of RE.
After a move to Barnsley, he then took up a post as deputy head in the Midlands before his first headship in Sandwell at Stuart Bathurst.
He added: "The school council at All Hallows also interviewed me and their questions were really spot on. The staff have pulled together so well and I believe we can very quickly get out of special measures."
Tony, who used to live in Gawsworth and Hurdsfield when a pupil, will also bring his experience of attaining specialist status at Stuart Bathurst to All Hallows as they go for specialist college status in Maths and Computing.
Acting headteacher Paul Heitzman, who took over last Autumn, said: "The key thing about Tony is he already has five years experience as a Catholic headteacher. Everyone at All Hallows is very excited about the appointment, Tony is an excellent head and just what the governors were hoping the school would have.
"I am looking forward to welcoming him as he will be visiting the school on a number of occasions between now and September.
"Obviously I have to go back to my own school, I was only ever going to be here until summer, but I am relieved such a quality candidate has been chosen to take over and carry on moving the school forward.
"Tony's qualities include experience and a track record of success. He has a clear vision for where he wants to take the school.
"Everyone is aiming to make All Hallows the top school in Cheshire. I think everyone is delighted with the progress at the school and Tony is the ideal appointment to carry on that trend."
Mr Heitzman also revealed All Hallows will be visited by Ofsted inspectors later this month on a day-and-a-half monitoring visit.
"I have really enjoyed my time here and will be sad to go, but I am also looking forward to going back to my old school. The pupils here are terrific and it's a great staff team," added the temporary boss.
All Hallows came under fire in an Ofsted report which placed the school in special measures and prompted the long-serving headteacher Richard Weremczyk to quit.
But full marks went to the secondary school when achievement and attainment tables for 2005 were published recently and All Hallows scored the highest average A Level point score in Cheshire.
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4/10/2006 at 18:19