The Coventry headteacher who has been leading a national union for the past year is to tackle the development of Information and Communications Technology in the city’s schools.

Chris Thatcher has spent the past 12 months as president of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), and will extend his absence from Potters Green Primary School for a further two years.

He will be working with Coventry City Council as part of a team developing a major initiative for schools and communities within the city in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

In a personal letter to parents Chris Thatcher said:

"I am very excited by the opportunity that this presents to me - there is no doubt that technology will form an increasingly important part of the everyday lives of all of us and schools will be at the centre of that."

He said he is hoping to have more contact with the school in his new role, now that his day-to-day duties as president of the NAHT have come to an end.

Deputy Head Sue Brodie will continue to act as headteacher of Potters Green School while the two-year secondment is in place.

Her management of the school over the last year has been praised as "excellent" by Chris Thatcher, who said it was instrumental in helping him decide to take up the new challenge.

Cathy Goodwin, Strategic Director (Lifelong Learning), said:

"I'm pleased that Chris is on board. His personal interests lie within the development of ICT and I think he will make an ideal member of the team.

“His enthusiasm and drive will help to push this major initiative forward."