Top class head teacher sounds bell on career

Allen McConaghie is widely regarded as the pioneer behind Bishop Cleeve School's remarkable turn in fortunes.

Mr McConaghie led the school for almost a decade and his decisions are said to have brought about a marked improvement in student performance.

One of his milestone achievements is the unique Gloucestershire Launch Pad, which he jointly developed with Tewkesbury School head John Reilly.

Its purpose is to provide vocational courses such as construction and hairdressing, and expand the range of study available for students.

It is a partnership between Gloucestershire College, Chipping Campden and Tewkesbury School.

Son of former councillor Samuel and Ellen McConaghie of Portrush Road, Ballymoney, Allen was educated at Landhead Primary School and later Dalriada before attending Stranmillis.

Mr McConaghie also studied at Reading University before taking his first teaching job in Filton, Bristol.

He then worked at a school in Wales for nine years before moving to Cleeve in 2000.

Mr McConaghie has travelled to China, India and Australia in the course of his work.

He said: "We have brought to this area what children have in the bigger cities, we provide everything they need to learn a mixture of subjects.

"I am one of those lucky people who gets paid for a job they love."

His achievements at the school included helping the facility to earn its status as a triple specialist school in technology, language and leadership.

It has often been branded "outstanding" by Ofsted inspectors and exam results have risen year on year for the last decade.

New teaching methods inspired by the head teacher have also paid off.

These include building one huge science lab for more than 100 pupils, mimicking the university-style of study.

Practical results have shot through the roof since.

The school now has a recording studio and state-of-the-art IT rooms.

The father-of-three said: "The pupils actually really enjoy being here and they are proud of the quality of what they have got.

"They have the best of everything and the message is education is important."

Modest Mr McConaghie said his success was down to him having the right staff.

"I have picked the right team, the teachers here are fantastic - they don't get any better."

Earlier this year Mr McConaghie made it into the final of the West of England Teaching Awards for his outstanding contribution to education.

Mr McConaghie plans to work part-time on the Building Schools for the Future programme.

He also plans to travel and will keep up his support of Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery for which he is a patron.