An OBE For Our Former Principal

Mr McCarron retired last year from his role as Executive Principal of Stockport Academy, Manchester Academy and William Hulme’s Grammar School, having dedicated over 40 years of his life to children’s education – 26 of those as a headteacher.

He was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at United Learning’s Best in Everyone Awards before calling time on his career, having made a significant contribution to turning around schools in Salford, Bury and Tameside, in addition to Stockport and Manchester. Mr McCarron spent the final few weeks of his career personally delivering food parcels to students’ homes during the first lockdown in the Summer of 2020.

In 2019, he received a Silver Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Teaching Awards, when he was described as a ‘caring, emotionally intelligent, natural leader. Other personal highlights include leading St Monica’s High School in Prestwich to three ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted ratings, winning the Headteacher of the Year Award at the Greater Manchester Schools Awards in 2015 and being invited to Buckingham Palace in recognition of his services to education.

After being appointed as a National Leader of Education in 2010, he joined Stockport Academy as Principal in 2012 and played a pivotal role in transforming the academy, which received a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted in 2015 and then a repeated ‘Good’ under current Principal Mrs McCann in 2018.

As well as raising academic standards, Mr McCarron prioritised pastoral care and, under his leadership, the academy has achieved national recognition for anti-bullying, democracy, sports, inclusivity and support for young carers. 

He said: “To receive an honour for services to education from Her Majesty ranks as the pinnacle of my career and I feel privileged and honoured to have been recognised for the role I have played in shaping young lives over the years.

“I would like to dedicate this achievement to all of the former colleagues I have had the pleasure of working with over the years and particularly to the students and their families who entrusted me to provide the very best education for their children.

Having spent the majority of the past year in retirement, Mr McCarron now enjoys making the most of his spare time with his three grandsons. He also continues to contribute to local schools in a voluntary role as chair of the governing body at Cravenwood Primary school. Congratulations sir!