THE governing body of The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Hall as principal.

Mr Hall is currently Head at Ashford School in Kent, following successful HMC headships at Bedford Modern School and GEMS Wellington Academy, Dubai. He will take over from Sue Woodroofe in September 2025.

Mr Hall is an experienced principal and executive leader with significant experience in all-through education as well as day and boarding settings. He studied economics at the University of Liverpool before training as a teacher and completing a master’s degree in educational leadership and management.

A huge fan of sport and the outdoors, Mr Hall is also a keen cyclist and trekker and is looking forward to crossing some Yorkshire peaks off his list. A father of three, he also enjoys travelling and music.

Angus Martin, chair of GSAL’s board of governors, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Michael Hall as our new principal. We knew we needed an exceptional leader to build on what Sue has achieved in her outstanding eight-year tenure and feel certain that Michael has the right combination of vision, passion and commitment to take the school from strength to strength.”

On his appointment, Mr Hall said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as the next principal of The Grammar School at Leeds. I am so impressed by the school’s tailored and holistic approach to learning and its extensive co-curricular and wellbeing programme, all based upon its strong values and standards. I look forward to meeting the pupils, families, colleagues and the wider school community over the coming months.”

Michael Hall will succeed Sue Woodroofe, who announced her retirement in March 2024.

Mrs Woodroofe’s leadership saw the creation of a unified primary school at the Alwoodley Gates site, outstanding GCSE and A-level results and three highly successful inspections, as well as significant investment in pupil and staff wellbeing.

Recently, the school has won a number of external awards, including being named the Sunday Times’ North Independent School of the Decade and the National Centre for Diversity’s School of the Year.