Father of three, Craig Burns, is looking forward to joining St. Nicholas Catholic High School as its new Headteacher after the Easter holiday. 

Mr. Burns, 45, joins the school at Easter having been the Headteacher of two very high-performing secondary schools that have seen year-on-year improvement under his leadership. Mr. Burns, a trained English and Drama teacher, is passionate about ensuring students have everything they need to thrive and be successful during their time in school.

St. Nicholas is a well-established 11-18 Catholic school with a fantastic reputation for the very highest of standards, outstanding students, exceptional staff and the warmest of welcomes. The school sets out to ensure that every child entrusted in their care is made to feel welcome and that their time at the school is a happy and successful one.

Mr. Burns has had a particular interest and enthusiasm for improving the wellbeing of all within the school community. During a time of- particular challenge for young people, Mr Burns successfully spearheaded the opening of a Wellbeing Centre for young people, as well as a Wellbeing strategy to support all the staff in his school. 

He has also ensured a large number of his staff team have qualified at a national level in leadership qualifications, outstanding teaching / teaching assistant programmes and qualified himself as a national executive leader in education. 

Mr Burns expects everyone to aspire to be the best they can be inside and outside of the classroom. 

Northwich Guardian:

“If everyone is to achieve the very best, the highest level of support and the best conditions for teaching and learning must be in place for everyone.  I expect everyone to be kind, show respect to one another and to make a valuable and significant contribution to an already successful school community”. 

Mr. Burns makes it clear that “Everyone is welcome at St. Nicholas Catholic High School.  Children from partner primary schools, alongside many children from non-Catholic families, are welcome to join our thriving learning community as we work together to provide a first-class, rounded education”.

At St Nicholas, we strive for academic excellence rooted within the spiritual, moral and personal growth of all our students. All of this we do in positive partnership with our parents and carers, our parishes, our primary schools and our many other community partners.

"Since my appointment in December, it is apparent that there is a team of dedicated staff and governors here at St Nicholas.  They are fully committed to providing students with every possible opportunity to use their God-given gifts and talents to develop their learning and realise their potential, to explore new hobbies and interests, to serve others through charitable works and to deepen their relationship with God through prayer and reflection.  I am very much looking forward to working with the school community as we move one step closer to becoming an outstanding school.”

Mr Burns looks forward to welcoming children and their families at events in the near future and confirms that “our best ambassadors are our students and I would be delighted to arrange a guided tour for families so that they can see first-hand what a special place St. Nicholas is”.  

Families who wish to visit the school can contact the school reception via the details below.

St Nicholas Catholic High School,

Greenbank Lane,

Hartford

CW8 1JW

T: 01606 706000

E: admin@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk