A COLLEGE and Sixth Form has welcomed the appointment of a new principal to lead through difficult times.

Education Partnership North East has announced the appointment of Toni Rhodes as the new Principal of Sunderland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form.

With over ten years-experience of working in education, Mrs Rhodes has held several senior curriculum and quality positions at Ofsted outstanding colleges, overseeing further education, higher education, and apprenticeships.

Mrs Rhodes joins Education Partnership North East from Barnsley College where she is currently Vice Principal of Quality and Access to Learning.

Prior to this, she was Vice Principal with the TEC Partnership which includes Grimsby Institute and Scarborough TEC.

Mrs Rhodes said: “I feel extremely privileged to be joining a great college that has a reputation for cultural excellence and I am looking forward to meeting staff during the interim period and many more from the summer onwards."