Head says goodbye to 'Premiership' school (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Head says goodbye to 'Premiership' school

HE says he's left the school equivalent of Manchester United to take on the England job.

And David Cater is determined to ensure the national squad doesn't suffer 'burnout' after too many appearances.

David Carter left Cirencester's Deer Park School two weeks ago to take up a prestigious new Government education post.

And he aims to use experiences at his former school - which he says is one of the best in the country - to help improve the system.

Football-fan Mr Carter, who was headteacher at Deer Park for six-and-a-half years before being 'headhunted' by the National Remodelling Team (NRT), said: "It was the only job I would have considered leaving Deer Park for.

"It's like being manager of Manchester United and being approached to do the England job - you don't get this sort of opportunity very often.

"Working at Deer Park was the best time of my career."

During his period at Deer Park, the school has seen a massive improvement in exam results, maintained its status as a technology college, and been named a Beacon school - one that is held up as an example to others.

The school was also one of just over 100 - around 650 applied - to be selected as a Leading Edge school. This means it will share its working practices with others to help them become more efficient.

Mr Carter's new role as the NRT's director of programme delivery, will involve taking steps to improve teaching practices in the UK and working conditions for staff.

And he is determined to reduce the amount of 'unnecessary' administration for staff, enabling them to spend more time in the classroom.

He said: "At Deer Park, we put a lot of emphasis into looking at the quality of teaching. I'm a great believer in teamwork. I was able to recruit some great teachers.

"I've also never come across a group of kids who were so motivated as those at Deer Park. There's a real sense of community there.

"NRT was set up by the Government for a number of reasons, such as to make sure new contractual changes for teachers are implemented.

"In Britain, you've got a lot of teachers with burnout leaving the profession. We want to change that."

* Welshman Mr Carter, who still lives in Cirencester, began his teaching career in Canterbury, before moving on to posts in Reading and Christchurch.

A specialist in music and PE, he was promoted to headteacher of Deer Park, six months after arriving as deputy.

A keen sports fan, Mr Carter is a season ticket holder at Cardiff City FC, along with his two sons Tom and Jack, who are pupils at Deer Park.

At his recent leaving party, he was presented with the season ticket and a Welsh rugby shirt by students and staff.