New College Principal appointed

A Southport man has been appointed as the new Principal of one of the North West’s leading independent schools.

47-year-old Michael Kennedy from Birkdale will take up his new post at St Mary’s College in Crosby at the start of the new academic year in September. The new Principal moves to Crosby from a similar position at Oakhill College, a Roman Catholic co-educational school at Whalley near Clitheroe.

New St Mary's Principal Michael Kennedy

Ormskirk-born Mr Kennedy is the third lay head of St Mary’s which was founded by the Christian Brothers in 1919. He succeeds Jean Marsh, the college’s first woman Principal, who retires in July. Michael Kennedy is a Liverpool University graduate in chemistry and management who, after a brief period teaching science at St Thomas More Catholic College in Stoke-on-Trent, went on to become a teacher and House Master at Stonyhurst College, the well-known boarding school in Lancashire. He moved to St Anselm’s College in Birkenhead in 1994 and had risen to become Deputy Head of the school when he moved to Oakhill College in 2006

In the same year Mr Kennedy - who has an MA in educational management – was also appointed as a Governor of St Mary’s College. Commenting on the upcoming change of Principal St Mary’s College Chair of Governors, Harry Hitchen, said: ‘Jean Marsh has done a terrific job over the last few years and everyone associated with the school owes her a debt of gratitude for the high academic standards and friendly atmosphere she has created. ‘At the same time we are delighted to welcome Michael Kennedy to St Mary’s.

New St Mary's Principal Michael Kennedy (centre) with Chair of Governors Harry Hitchen and retiring

Principal Jean Marsh

These are times of change for the independent schools sector and we feel that he is the right man to take up the reins as the college moves forward towards its centenary year.’ Michael Kennedy added: ‘It is a great honour to be appointed as Principal of one of the North West’s most prestigious schools and also a personal challenge to be moving to what is a much larger establishment with such a strong reputation.

New St Mary's Principal Michael Kennedy with his four young

children who are already pupils at the school

‘I see my job as keeping St Mary’s at the forefront of educational developments in the area, whilst at the same time maintaining the school’s core values and traditions. ‘I believe the knowledge of the school I have built up during my two years as a Governor will be a real benefit to me in this respect, and help me to hit the ground running’ when I take up my new post in September,’ added Mr Kennedy.

Away from the classroom Michael Kennedy is married to Catherine and they have four young children who already attend St Mary’s. He lists his hobbies as hill walking, large-scale DIY projects and sport.