Gordano School headteacher off to Hong Kong

A PORTISHEAD headteacher is leaving North Somerset behind and heading to Hong Kong to work at one of the country’s leading international schools.

Graham Silverthorne, 51, will be leaving Gordano School after seven years at the end of the summer term to take the job of principal at South Island School in Hong Kong.

His new job will see him work with 1430 students from 35 different nationalities and manage a team of 100 staff.

During his time at Gordano, Mr Silverthorne has led a project to turn Gordano into a foundation status school and overseen a £10 million building project.

Gordano, which has 1860 students on roll, has also enjoyed record GCSE and A level results over the last seven years and seen the numbers of students soar by more than 400.

Mr Silverthorne, who lives in Frenchay, Bristol, said he would be sad to leave Gordano but it was time for a new challenge.

He said: “I always had a dream about working abroad.

“I have seen a whole generation of students through their education at Gordano and I thought now would be a good time to have a new adventure.

Mr Silverthorne will take up his new position in August.

A replacement headteacher is currently being sought and the job is due to be advertised in the next fortnight with interviews anticipated to take place in March.