Brentwood's Endeavour School has named the successor to longstanding head teacher Peter Pryke.

The new man in charge of the Hogarth Avenue school from this summer is current deputy head Michael Southgate.

The 47-year-old is in his second spell at the school and looking forward to the challenge - especially as he is Brentwood born and bred and his parents still live in the town.

He commented: "It feels good to have the chance to work to support your own community."

Mr Southgate, who has been the deputy head since returning to the school in 2000, believes he will be building on firm foundations when he takes over at the end of the summer term.

He said: "I have worked very closely with Peter for the last three years. We share the same philosophy and I have learnt an awful lot from him.

"Peter has set high standards for us to build on and I am inheriting a great team and Governing body. The really important ones here though are our students and what we can do, both for them and for Peter, is to ensure that their school continues building on the success he created."

Mr Southgate, who has sixteen years experience in special needs education, is following in the footsteps of someone who has left a lasting mark on both the school and the town.

But, Mr Pryke, who received a Civic Award at the beginning of March, said his successor will be more than up to the job: "I am delighted by Michael's appointment. He is a man as deeply committed to special education as all our staff here are, and I am sure the school itself will go on to increasing success under his leadership in the years to come."

The Endeavour caters for students with moderate learning difficulties and is committed to providing a broad based flexible curriculum.

Published Wednesday, April 9, 2003

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