In May 2024 Lee Peachey was lauded for improving the school he was head of, then he was suddenly absent and now he has quit
15:37, 11 Dec 2025Updated 16:33, 11 Dec 2025
Lee Peachey has resigned as headteacher of St Edmund Arrowsmith School
A Merseyside headteacher who was praised for helping to turn around a struggling school’s fortunes before suddenly being absent for an extended time – has announced his resignation.
In May 2024, St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy in Whiston and its young headteacher Lee Peachey were celebrating after the school saw its status move out of special measures for the first time in a decade. Mr Peachey was pictures alongside smiling pupils after Ofsted inspectors found the school’s leadership had taken “effective action to address a legacy of weaknesses”.
But just a matter of weeks later, concerns were raised about the sudden absence of Mr Peachey, with a letter sent out from the Pope Francis Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, which runs the school, explaining that the headteacher was taking time away from his role for what they described as “personal reasons”.
In his absence, it was confirmed that Clare McKenna would join the school from St Gregory’s High School in Warrington as an acting headteacher. As well as Mr Peachey’s absence from school, the ECHO was told that deputy headteacher Anna Kenny was also not at work in her role. A reason for her absence was not provided.
While the school’s website still has Mr Peachey listed as headteacher and Ms Kenny listed as deputy headteacher, neither have returned to work in the subsequent 17 months, with Ms McKenna still at the helm.
Now, the school has confirmed that Mr Peachey has officially resigned from his position as headteacher.
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy in Whiston
A letter sent out to St Edmund Arrowsmith parents today has confirmed the news.
The letter, from the trust chief executive Andrew Dawson and chair of the local governing body, Carl Gilbertson, states: “As the year starts to draw to a close, our thoughts are already turning to 2026 – and it seemed like an opportune moment to give you an update on the leadership of St Edmund Arrowsmith.
“In partnership with the whole team, Mrs McKenna, as our acting headteacher, has continued to drive the school forward over the last 18 months – and things have progressed with real purpose.
“From this strengthening position, and now that Mr Peachey has formally resigned from his post after a period of absence, it is the right time to secure the leadership on a more permanent basis.”
The letter states that the school “wants to attract the best possible people” to consider the headteacher position, with a national recruitment campaign being launched in January.
It adds: “We will, of couse, strongly consider anyone already at SEA if they make an application, but it is right that no stone has been left unturned to help us build on the school’s positive momentum.”
The school bosses added that a key factor in any headship applications will be looking at how the school can strengthen its links with the local community.
The notice suggests it may be closer to Easter before an announcement on a new headteacher will be made.