GODALMING College principal David Adelman is stepping down at the end of the academic year and Emma Young, currently deputy principal at Esher College, will take his place.

A firm believer in sixth-form college education, she has spent her entire career working in the sector.

She started her career as a geography teacher at Farnborough Sixth Form College, and joined the senior management team of Esher College in 2005 as assistant principal, curriculum and staff development.

She was promoted to deputy principal in 2010.

“It is a real privilege to be taking over from David,” Emma (right) said. “He has done a fantastic job in leading Godalming College to be consistently one of the highest achieving colleges in the country. I am very excited about my new role and I am really looking forward to working with the students, staff and governors to ensure the continued success of the college.”

Mr Adelman has been principal for 15 years and was also previously deputy principal at Esher College. Godalming which has an Ofsted-rating of “outstanding”, has improved on all fronts under his leadership to join the top 10 of sixth-form colleges in the country – for both A level grades and value-added at A level.

The college’s popularity has also increased under his leadership, with a 35 per cent increase in student numbers and he orchestrated a £14million accommodation project to rebuild and refurbish its campus.

The campus upgrade will be completed with the opening of a new English and Modern Foreign Languages block and new sports pitches on a newly acquired 11-acre site, later this year.

Mr Adelman said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the college, There have been some sticky moments relating to funding cuts and perverse government policies but we have negotiated these pretty well.

“And I’m proud to have been able to lead an institution with such a strong sense of community, a great staff, and a great tradition of scholarship and innovative teaching and learning.

“I’ll be very sad to leave.”

Godalming College Corporation chairman Brenda Jenner added: “We are delighted to make such an excellent appointment to our outstanding college and I look forward to working with Emma over the coming months.

“It will be very sad for us to say farewell to David Adelman as he begins a very well-earned retirement.

“David’s intellect, energy and enthusiasm have made an enormous contribution to Godalming College. He of course leaves with a big thank-you from the College Corporation and our best wishes as he begins new endeavours in his retirement.”