22nd November 2023

We wanted to let you know that after a fantastic 14 years as the Principal at Duke’s Aldridge Academy, Ms Monica Duncan has decided to retire at the end of this academic year (summer 2024). 

We know this news will be met with sadness by many in the Duke’s community and beyond; Ms Duncan has done so much good during her time with us. 

Ms Duncan started teaching in 1980 at George Dixon School in Birmingham as a teacher of Domestic Science.  She taught there until 1988 and then moved to Coventry until 1994 when she moved down to London and picked up a Vice-Principal post at Dunraven School in Streatham.  In 2000, she took up her first headship at Crofton School in Lewisham. 

After that, she moved to what was then Northumberland Park Community School in 2009 – and has been at the helm ever since. Maintaining partnership with the community at the same time as moving into Aldridge Education has been important to Ms Duncan, and she’s navigated through a huge amount of positive change at the school, including overseeing the school’s rise in reputation, bringing stability, supporting strong behaviour amongst our students, and securing the school’s long-term future.  She’s also travelled through the unprecedented Covid years and into the post-pandemic world – all the while maintaining standards above the national average.

Ms Duncan has always led by example and gives her time and effort unconditionally to serve her staff, students and community – no-one can doubt her determination to make everything she does a success. We are sure we speak for so many when we say that she is going to be hugely missed. But while this is the end of an era, it is also the start of a new one for Ms Duncan, and we know you will join us in wishing her all the very best for a happy retirement and for her exciting future plans.

While Ms Duncan isn’t leaving us just yet, remaining in post until the end of the summer term next year, we do need to begin the search for her replacement; hers are some big shoes to fill. 

That means we’ll be launching the recruitment process to find a new Principal for Duke’s in the next few weeks, and we’ll be working with a specialist recruitment company to ensure we find the best possible candidate for this important role. It is likely that interviews for the position will take place after Christmas, and we’ll absolutely keep you informed as the process progresses – and of course, when a new appointment is made.  

I know that change of any kind can make times feel uncertain, and that is why our focus is on a smooth transition for our staff and students at Duke’s, and on making sure that the vision and values of the academy are retained and nurtured for the future. 

We’ll leave with you with some thoughts from Ms Duncan herself:

“It is of course with heavy heart that I have made the decision to retire from headship – but it feels like the right moment for me to hand over the reins and enjoy some of the travels and new adventures that I’ve always planned to pursue in retirement.

“Whilst at times challenging, frustrating, and demanding, there is no greater satisfaction as a headteacher than having the privilege to play a part in the growth of young people. Headship also enables you to empower others as team players, in turn contributing to the success, culture and development of a school. I have been fortunate to have experienced both these factors of headship. 

“Northumberland Park, latterly Duke’s Aldridge Academy has absorbed my life for the last 14 years. I look forward to continuing my commitment to all stakeholders of Duke’s community until the end of the academic year. We still have much to do in ensuring a good academic year for Duke’s. 

“I want to thank you all for your continued support.”