Newtownabbey principal in running for UK-wide accolade

Mr Massey is the sole representative from Northern Ireland alongside three finalists- the Chief Executive of the Children’s Trust, a Professor of Engineering at the University of Huddersfield and Officer Commanding 3 Wing, of the Australian Air Force.

Ricky took over the leadership of the Newtownabbey school in April 2018.

School leaders from around the UK have visited the Ballyclare Road school within the last twelve months to hear directly from the leadership team about the significant changes to school culture and school improvement.

Principal Massey said: “We are no longer a school seeking improvement, but we are now a school which is leading the way in driving cultural change, raising GCSE exam attainment, and developing pupil engagement in school.

“When we get calls from other school leaders requesting a visit, we are delighted to showcase our improvements, but it keeps us on our toes as we need to understand what it is that we have done which has driven improvement, so that we can nurture this further and grow stronger.”

Mr Massey was awarded the prestigious CMI Chartered Fellowship status in 2014, and in doing so, become the first CMI Chartered Fellow in education within Northern Ireland. Since then, he has worked closely with the CMI to develop his leadership capacity and to help support leadership within his own school.

The last year has proven to be a whirlwind of positivity for Glengormley High School which achieved runner up for UK School of the Year, at a gala event Birmingham.

Within the last month, the school has successfully balloted parents to move towards becoming an integrated school. With a high proportion of parents requesting integrated status, the school is now creating a case for change document to ultimately become integrated by 2022.

The winner of CMI Manager of the Year was to be announced at the end of May at the Presidential Dinner, Kensington Palace, London, with patron of CMI, HRH The Countess of Wessex announcing the winner.

The Covid-19 outbreak will mean a delay for the Presidential Dinner, but the organisers hope the winner will be be announced in May.

Mr Massey added: “Being within the final four for this prestigious title is amazing in itself - I am immensely proud and already feel like a winner.

“It is amazing to go into work every day and be recognised for what you do. I work in an amazing school with dedicated staff who are now leading the way in education.

“The staff of Glengormley High School are a family who support each other. The improvements in the school which has drawn recognition to my leadership would not be possible if staff were not willing to go above and beyond every day. They are moulding me as much as I am moulding them.”

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