New Campus Principal announced for Hartlepool Sixth Form

A new Campus Principal has been appointed at a leading specialist sixth form in Hartlepool. Jane Reed will take over the helm at Hartlepool Sixth Form this summer and will lead the sixth form into its next ambitious stage of growth and development. 

Jane was appointed following a rigorous selection process and will commence her new position on August 16th, replacing current Head Mark Hughes, who has successfully led the sixth form since it became part of Education Partnership North East, a regional group of colleges and sixth forms. 

With over 25 years’ experience in academic and technical further and higher education, Jane initially trained in Classical Music at the Royal Northern College of Music and is a graduate of Northumbria University. Jane brings to the role a wealth of experience including working with the Department for Education and a number of cultural partnership boards, to drive forward creative, digital and cultural industries as a strategically important cross-cutting sector. Her track record has seen staff and students over many years of her leadership, actively contributing to community cohesion, local productivity and sustainable growth.   

Jane is particularly looking forward to leading the next phase of Hartlepool Sixth Form’s specialisms within science, technology and maths, and coupled with the recent launch of academic and technical engineering commencing in September 2021, she is already in strategic discussions about Hartlepool Sixth Form’s future as a centre of excellence within STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).  

Jane, who lives in Durham, has strong family connections to Hartlepool having had great grandparents involved in the shipbuilding industry and living in the area. She said:   

“I’m delighted to be joining Hartlepool Sixth Form and honoured to have the opportunity to lead an inclusive, relevant and modern sixth form with an outstanding reputation for academic and technical excellence, and a culture of high expectations for staff and students.   

“My key priorities will be focused on excellence in everything we do. This includes sustained outstanding teaching and academic and technical performance, combined with working closely with staff, partners and stakeholders, to strategically connect the sixth form through innovative projects.   

“Most importantly, I intend to ensure we provide our students with a competitive edge and inspire them to lead fulfilling lives. I’m particularly looking forward to working in partnership with schools, universities and employers and anchoring Hartlepool Sixth Form at the heart of our local community.    

“Throughout my career, I have always been passionate about providing unique, life changing experiences for children, young people and adults. Students should be at the heart of everything we do and I’m determined to ensure Hartlepool Sixth Form provides an outstanding learning experience, lays the foundations for future careers and continues to transform lives through a curriculum aligned to the economic priorities and skill needs of Hartlepool and the wider region.”  

Hartlepool Sixth Form is part of Education Partnership North East, one of the largest college groups situated entirely in the Tees Valley and North East. As a result, the Sixth Form benefits from significant financial stability, resource investment and enhanced connectivity to a large volume of universities across the wider region and UK.  

CEO of Education Partnership North East, Ellen Thinnesen, said:  

“I’m thrilled with the appointment of Jane as Campus Principal for Hartlepool Sixth Form. Jane is an experienced and tenacious leader who understands the unique role that specialist sixth forms play in providing strong, innovative and relevant academic and technical career routes for diverse communities.  

“Her strong creative, digital and cultural background will be a real asset to the local area. Along with Principal, Toni Rhodes, I look forward to working with Jane and supporting her and our fabulous staff as they build on the brilliant progress achieved at Hartlepool Sixth Form over the past few years.”  

Hartlepool Sixth Form offers an extensive range of academic A-Levels as well as vocational and technical subjects for school leavers and adults. Its portfolio of A-Levels, GCSEs, technical and access courses ensure a significant percentage of students progress to their chosen university. The sixth form will also be offering the prestigious T Level courses and a range of electronics and engineering courses from this September.