Dalriada School appoints new principal

Dalriada School in Ballymoney has appointed a new principal following the sudden death of headmaster Tom Skelton earlier this year.

The much-loved and highly respected principal died at Causeway Hospital in February.

Vice principal of Antrim Grammar school, Mrs Louise Aitcheson from Cloughmills, will take up the post from August 1.

A statement posted on the school website, stated: “The Board of Governors are pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Louise Aitcheson BA (Hons) P.G.C.E., MSc as the new principal of Dalriada School from 1st August 2024.

“Mrs Aitcheson, from Cloughmills, studied at Queen’s University Belfast gaining a B.A. Hons 2:1 degree and then completed a Post Primary P.G.C.E. certificate in Education in Geography at the University of Ulster. She also holds an MSc in Education from the same University.

"Louise has been teaching for 21 years. Her first post was in Larne High School as a geography teacher moving to Antrim Grammar school after two years to teach the same subject.

“During her time at Antrim Grammar School, she became head of geography, a senior teacher and then a vice-principal.

“On appointment she told the chairman of the Board of Governors, Brian Dillon, that she was delighted to accept the post and shared Dalriada’s vision for education."