Ghyll Royd School and Pre-School has announced a new headteacher and deputy headteacher.
The Governing Body of Ghyll Royd School and Pre-School has appointed the Mr Hadley Nicholson as the new Headteacher, with Mrs Rebecca Picken appointed as Deputy Headteacher, effective from 1st February 2026.
Hadley Nicholson is a well-respected and long-standing member of the Ghyll Royd community, having served as Deputy Headteacher, Form 6 Teacher and, since June 2025, Acting Headteacher. During his career he has demonstrated outstanding strategic leadership, whilst maintaining excellent educational standards and strengthening relationships across the community. His vision, commitment to values and proven ability to lead, made him the clear choice for this permanent appointment.
Mr David Cunningham, Chair of Governos, said:
“We are thrilled to appoint Mr Nicholson as the new Headteacher of Ghyll Royd School. His passion for education, his inclusive leadership style and his strong emphasis on wellbeing and the success of every child make him an outstanding fit for this role. We look forward to supporting him as he guides the school forward.”
Reflecting on his appointment, Mr Nicholson added:
“I am deeply honoured to take on this new role. I look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place and continuing to ensure that every child is supported, challenged and celebrated.
“A central priority for me is to further enhance the educational experience our pupils receive. Over the coming months and years, I want to encourage meaningful investment in our environments and the opportunities that shape learning, including developing our library as a vibrant heart of the school, strengthening computing so that pupils are even more digitally confident, discerning and creative and expanding our forest school and outdoor provision so that learning is rooted not only in classrooms but in the natural world at Greystone Manor. Alongside this, I am committed to modernising even further our SEN provision, making sure that excellent support continues to be proactive and fully integrated into our approach.
I believe our ambitions should be rooted in the outcomes we want for our children. This means working intentionally to grow a vibrant and diverse pupil community. A key part of this vision is bringing together our alumni, current families and friends of the school in a shared commitment to building a lasting foundation of excellence.”
The Governing Body say they are also delighted to announce the permanent appointment of Mrs Rebecca Picken as Deputy Headteacher, having been acting Deputy Headteacher since June 2025:
“Mrs Picken has been a valued member of the school community since joining in 2019 as a Year One teacher, where she has consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment to pupils, colleagues and the wider life of the school. More recently, Mrs Picken has also taken on the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), further strengthening our safeguarding culture and support for children and families.
“Her professionalism, dedication and calm, thoughtful approach have been widely recognised and she has played a key role in supporting staff and driving the school forward. We are therefore absolutely delighted to confirm her permanent appointment as Deputy Headteacher and look forward to her continued contribution to the school’s future success.
"Leadership transitions are significant moments for any school, but with Mr Nicholson and Mrs Picken already leading the school since June 2025, supported by Miss Olivia Stacey, who continues to lead the thriving, in-demand nursery and pre-school, continuity and stability are assured. The Governing Body is proud to have such dedicated and values-driven leaders guiding the school. "
With new scholarships and bursaries available, the school invites prospective pupils and families to discover more at the upcoming Open Morning on Saturday 7th February from 10am until 12 noon. During the morning the school will be open to all families who are curious about what the school has to offer and looks forward to welcoming new families and sharing the exciting journey ahead. Pleas contact yvonne.hare@ghyllroydschool.co.uk for more details and to register your attendance.
Ghyll Royd School will be holding a Scholarship Assessment Day on the Tuesday 3rd March. This Day is open to all primary aged children and will be a celebration of talent, potential and opportunity. The school encourages children of diverse interests, strengths and backgrounds to take part. Whether a pupil shines academically, creatively, musically, in sport or shows all-round promise, the Scholarship Assessment Day is an opportunity to experience the school’s ethos first-hand, meet the staff and pupils, and explore how individual potential is nurtured. If you are interested in a place at Ghyll Royd School for your child through either a Scholarship or Bursary opportunity, please email Yvonne.hare@ghyllroydschool.co.uk for further information or to book your place at this event.
Tours of the school are available at any time, just pop in at a time to suit you!
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