Stuart Harrison appointed Acting Director of Education

First published on: 5th June 2020

We are delighted to announce that Stuart Harrison, currently Assistant Director of Education, has agreed to step into the role of Acting Director of Education. He will start in the role on June 10th 2020.

Stuart will follow Father Richard Peers who has been appointed as Sub Dean at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. 

Stuart is well known to schools across our diocese having acted as Deputy Director of Education to Father Richard and John Richardson. He has helped many schools with innovative building works and practical support. Stuart will bring many qualities and a vast amount of experience to the role. His thorough understanding of the diocesan education scene and his impressive track record with the Board of Education and the Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust make him the ideal candidate at this time.

Stuart will hold the role for a year when it will be reviewed with a view to making this permanent.

Stuart will be ably supported by the talented Education Team with David Thorpe stepping into the Acting Deputy role. Liam Eaglestone will broaden his portfolio to include some of the Belong and school conversion work. 

Diocesan Secretary Mike Eastwood said "The fact that we can appoint from within recognises not only Stuart’s own strengths and abilities but also those of the education team, both in the DBE and LDST. We are very fortunate in the talent we have in the diocese in general and the education team in particular. Just as we are finding with our clergy appointments we are often better to appoint people who have already shown they have the skills, values and commitment to who and what we want to become in our diocese. Stuart and the education team are fabulous examples of this. I am delighted he has stepped into this role and pray for him and the team."
 
Stuart Harrison said, "Fr. Richard has had a huge influence on the work of the education department and its schools over the last four years. His devoutness is reflected in his philosophy on education and his passion for social justice. He has inspired and empowered in equal measure and has been a joy to work for. I wish him all the very best in his new role at Christ Church and thank him for all that he has done here in Liverpool, both personally for me, and for our Diocesan Family of Schools.

"I feel extremely privileged and fortunate to be taking over as DDE at this time. Although we are in the midst of a deeply concerning crisis, our schools and academies have performed heroically in staying open and caring for their key worker and most vulnerable children and young people; and they continue to do so as they prepare to welcome back more pupils as lock-down is eased. Over the next few months, and possibly more, a key priority will be to support all schools as they endeavour to return to normality. The mental health and well-being of both staff and pupils will be of paramount importance. We have a strong Church of England Family of Schools and Academies, intertwined with an extensive parish, clergy, church school worker and chaplain network. I am confident that not only will we, together, overcome any difficulties that we might face over the coming months, but we will as a Church family be stronger as a result. " 

Powered by Church Edit