The Read School, Drax appoints new Headmistress

After reporting glowing results in a recent Independent Schools inspection, Chair of Governors, Mr Peter Watt is delighted to announce that Mrs Ruth Ainley has been appointed as Headmistress of Read School from 1st July 2018, when current Acting Head, Mark Voisey resumes full-time teaching activities at the end of summer term.

Mrs Ainley previously held the position of Head of Key Stage 3 and Teacher of French, German and Latin at The Read School. She was educated at King James’ School, Almondbury, Huddersfield and graduated from St Peter’s College, Oxford with a degree in Modern Languages, followed by a PGCE at University of York. Prior to her teaching career, Mrs Ainley worked in international business and held various senior management positions at Ecolab, Inc., an American global provider of water, hygiene and energy technologies and services.

Mrs Ainley who currently lives with her family in Snaith, has travelled and worked extensively throughout Europe and internationally and resided in North Carolina, USA for 14 years.

Peter Watt commented “The unique combination of proven teaching and business skill-sets, will enable Mrs Ainley to lead Read School with strategic insight, quality teamwork and organisational understanding.   We are very proud of our School which in 2017 celebrated 350 years of excellence in education and over the years has remained true to the vision of founder and local philanthropist Charles Reade to provide an outstanding education to local children. As our 2018 Independent Inspection report attests, today we are providing ‘excellent personal development ‘for our pupils and a good level of academic achievement with notable individual successes at regional and national levels.’ Following Mrs Ainley’s appointment, we look forward to moving ahead with development plans and ongoing improvements to the school.”