The Department of Education and Children is pleased to announce that Keith Winstanley has been appointed headteacher of Castle Rushen High School with effect from September.

Mr Winstanley is currently a deputy headteacher at Ballakermeen High School.

He will replace Andrew Cole, who ends a 38-year career in education when he retires in August at the age of 60 – see here for background.

Mr Winstanley was brought up on the Isle of Man and was educated at Peel Clothworkers’ School and Queen Elizabeth II High School. After graduating from Salford University with a degree in geography, he came back to the Island to work for the MEA. He then completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Swansea.

Mr Winstanley taught in Hampshire for 14 years before returning to the Island in 2008. He was a deputy headteacher at Queen Elizabeth II High School, moving to Ballakermeen a year later.

‘I am delighted to be taking over the headship at Castle Rushen High School and I am looking forward to getting to know the staff, parents and children,’ Mr Winstanley said. ‘I will, of course, miss the students and my colleagues at Ballakermeen, where I have had five very happy years. It has been a pleasure to be one of the senior leadership team at such a great school.’

Mr Winstanley is married to Sophia. His interests include travel, sport, cinema and reading.

Castle Rushen High School has 840 students on its register.