Rick Wells

Principal, Hartlepool Sixth Form College, represents Hartlepool 14-19 Local Partnership

Having gained his BA (Liverpool), M.Ed (Bristol) and PGCE (Liverpool) Rick started his teaching career in 1978 at Wiltshire’s then largest 11-18 Comprehensive School; becoming Head of Department (1984) and Head of House (1986).

Moved to Farnbourgh Sixth Form College as Head of History, Sociology and Politics, rising to become Director of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.  Where he contributed to the College becoming a Beacon College and became known for innovative learning methods and for work with Examining Boards.

Moved to Strode’s College, Egham as Senior Assistant Principal, with responsibility for Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance.  Contributed to increased recruitment, integration of a local Muslim school in a multi-cultural initiative, and oversaw capital projects resulting in modernised IT facilities.

Became Principal, Hartlepool Sixth Form College in January 2005 (current post); proportionately the fastest-growing college in the North-East. 

Throughout his career Rick has followed a simple philosophy:  if provision is not good enough for my own children then it is not good enough for my students. He is passionately commitment to Sixth Form Colleges and to raising aspirations and achievement levels among the young people of Hartlepool.