A new associate principal has been appointed at Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech who says he is determined to raise the academy from “requiring improvement” to “good”.
Richard Scott takes on the role while former principal Anne Hill has been appointed executive principal overseeing three secondary academies.
The changes come following a restructure of the leadership team at the Brooke Weston Trust academy.
Mr Scott, says the team has a ‘moral purpose’ to ensure that all of their students have the best learning, life chances and motivation possible.
“I expect to see a great deal of continuity because the school is starting to show strengths and improvements but there is still work to do, “ said Mr Scott, a history specialist who joined as vice principal 18 months ago.
“Inevitably I may do things in a different way at times, but the important thing is taking Thomas Clarkson Academy from requiring improvement to good and to establish and embed good practice.
“It is not about a quick fix but putting long term processes and systems in place.
“Improving teaching and learning is our number one focus, by having the right teachers teaching the most appropriate groups, making sure the curriculum is targeted and delivering high quality education from the moment students arrive in Year 7.”
As the only state school in Wisbech, Thomas Clarkson Academy should offer the same opportunities, support and motivation as any other school in the country, he said, challenging outdated expectations and giving students the tools to go on to higher education and rewarding careers.
Mr Scott and Ms Hill worked closely to bring about sustained change at their previous ‘challenging’ school in Northampton, moving it from ‘requires improvement’ to a ‘good’ judgement by Ofsted.
Ms Hill is looking forward to her new role overseeing the work of secondary academies, school improvement and driving up outcomes for students.
She said: “I am very excited about the possibilities the role brings because there are some clear similarities across the three schools and also very different strengths within each.
“Sometimes it is difficult as a principal to have the time to step outside your own school and identify and learn from all the good practice that is going on elsewhere, so in this role I will have that helicopter view.”
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