The ACCS Executive is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Thornton as ACCS Assistant General Secretary from the 1st of September 2024. Paul will succeed Áine O'Sullivan who was recently appointed General Secretary following the announcement of the impending retirement  of John Irwin from 31st August 2024.

Paul Thornton was born in Castlebar County Mayo. He attended secondary school in St. Jarlath’s College, Co. Galway. In 2002, Paul completed a Higher Diploma in Educational Law in Trinity College, Dublin. He continued his studies at Trinity College, completing a Master’s in Educational Management in 2004. After studying in Maynooth and Trinity College he taught English, History and Classical Studies in Loreto Convent Gorey and then Gorey Community School. He was seconded to the National Behavioural Support Service (NBSS) as a regional officer and worked with schools in both Leinster and Munster for six years. In 2011 he was appointed principal of Tullow Community School.

Paul has been a member of the ACCS Executive for a number of years and served on a variety of sub-committees in that time. He has also held the role of treasurer and vice president of the Association in recent years. Paul was elected President of ACCS at convention in March 2024.

Paul has been instrumental in numerous areas of educational development and policy including ICT. His extensive experience in education, leadership, and management will greatly inform his work going forward.

We extend our best wishes to Paul in his new role in ACCS as he joins Áine on the ACCS senior leadership team to continue the great work done by previous Assistant General Secretaries and Executive Committees.