Local Principal celebrates Doctorate graduation

He drew on his and his students’ experiences as well as wider research in his thesis on Principal leadership.

Dr Gray, 58, has been Principal of Teignmouth Community School since 2003. For more than two years it has been an academy educating students from the ages of 3 to 19. Tony was previously Principal of Holsworthy Community College in North Devon. Originally from Leicester, he has lived in Devon for 20 years.

Tony Gray says: “My thesis about Principal leadership in school has been of significant value to my professional practice as a school leader as I’ve examined closely research on what good schools and effective headteachers do. I used the perspective of my own students to illuminate what they felt to be the value of a school Principal to them and their school experience. There is no doubt that it has made me reflect on my own practice and recognise the importance of listening to students and the importance of the relationships in schools including that between students and school leaders. I’m proud of my achievements.”

Dr Gray has two children, Katy (28) and Mark (24), and three grandchildren. He competes in triathlons and is passionate about sport, history, local church architecture and food. His doctoral study allowed him to investigate other areas such as philosophy, psychology and cosmology.

Tony Gray, Principal of Teignmouth Community School, has graduated with his Doctorate of Education