The Headteacher post for Alconbury Weald Church Academy has been offered to and accepted by Dr Michael Fordham. Michael was previously appointed as the Outstanding-Educator-in-Residence to the Singapore Ministry of Education. He is well established in the wider education world in the UK too, including at the University of Cambridge, where he first studied history before returning to complete his PhD and later becoming a lecturer for the Advanced Subject Teaching course.

Currently principal of Thetford Academy in Norfolk, Michael taught history for twenty years before taking on several senior leadership roles over the last decade. Before his time at Thetford, he was the Director of Initial Teacher Training for Inspiration Trust, where he set up a new teacher training provider. Michael was also Assistant Headteacher at the West London Free School, where he established a new Sixth Form that opened in 2016. Michael is a strong advocate for lifelong learning and the importance of every student developing their own interests outside of their core learning. In 2025, Michael joined the Leaders for Impact programme run by the Royal Ballet and Opera, bringing together school leaders from across the country to focus on improving arts provision in schools. He also established a strong musical culture at Thetford Academy, including a partnership with the Cambridge-based Britten Sinfonia.



We are very excited to welcome Michael into the Trust and it is highly likely that he will be able to join us at the Headteacher conference at the end of the month. I am sure you will all make him feel very welcome.