Uppingham Community College head teacher Ben Solly announces he is leaving school

A head teacher has announced he is leaving to take up a new role.

In a message sent to parents through the school newsletter this afternoon (Friday, May 16) Ben Solly, who has been in charge of Uppingham Community College (UCC) for the past eight years, said he is leaving at the end of the summer term in July.

He will become director of mainstream education at the Leicester-based Discovery School’s Academy Trust. UCC joined the trust last year.

Mr Solly’s deputy Dave Anderson will replace him.

In his message Mr Solly said: “I have truly loved leading this wonderful school and it has been a genuine privilege to work with such incredible colleagues and fantastic young people. However it is the right time for me to pass the baton of leadership on to Mr Anderson, who has excelled in his role as head of school throughout this year.

"Mr Anderson will become the substantive head teacher of UCC from the start of 2025/26 and I am excited about his plans for UCC over the forthcoming years.”

Mr Solly is only the 10th head teacher of the school in its 105-year history. During his time as leader he led the school through the pandemic challenges and also a fire in 2020. He has also been chairman of the Rutland Schools' Forum.