We are very pleased to confirm the appointment of our new headteachers for Kemble and Siddington C of E Primary Schools for September 2020.

 

Following the completion of five rigorous online recruitment activities over three days, the final panel members - Chiquita Henson (CEO), Catherine Leahy (Corinium Education Trust Trustee), Ian Smith (Chair of the schools’ Local Governing Body), and the Reverend Jennifer McKenzie (Foundation Governor) - unanimously agreed that there were two outstanding candidates.

 

Katie Cook, Deputy Head at Oliver Tomkins Schools, who visited the school before 20 March 2020, has been appointed to the post of Headteacher at Siddington C of E Primary School. Mrs Cook is an experienced school leader and SENCO. She has contributed to raising achievement and supported staff development. She is looking forward to joining the school and introducing herself to staff, pupils and parents.

‘I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Headteacher of Siddington Primary School, and I am excited to lead the school forward alongside The Corinium Education Trust. I have been a school leader for over ten years and understand the importance of creating a supportive school that has high aspirations for all. I believe that a happy and successful school relies on the whole community working together, so I am therefore looking forward to getting to know pupils, parents, staff and Governors.’ Katie Cook

 

Emma Morrogh-Ryan, who is already known to parents, pupils and staff, has been appointed to the post of Headteacher at Kemble Primary School. Before relocating to Gloucestershire and taking up her part time post as class teacher, Mrs Morrogh- Ryan was headteacher of Charlotte Sharman School in London where she brought about significant school improvement.

‘I am delighted to have been appointed as Head at Kemble Primary as part of the Corinium Education Trust. I am very much looking forward to working with staff, pupils and parents to continue to provide exciting experiences and opportunities to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children of Kemble.’ Emma Morrogh-Ryan 

 

We are extremely grateful to the members of staff and local governing body who contributed to the interview programme over the three days; twenty-one were in the audience for the candidates’ presentations and four teachers joined the candidates in observed professional discussions around reading and phonics. They were all very grateful for the opportunity to take part in our recruitment process.

 

Both of our new headteachers will be working closely us between now and when they take up their posts in September to ensure smooth transitions. To aid our planning and support their induction, Mrs Cook and Mrs Morrogh-Ryan will join The Corinium Education Trust’s Executive Leadership Team from June.

 

‘After 5 years of great work from Mrs Dougill leading and developing Kemble and Siddington C of E schools, I’m delighted that we have found our two new Headteachers! I look forward to being able to welcome both our new Headteachers, and to working with them to do our very best for all of our children.’ Ian Smith, Chair of Local Governing Body

 

Unfortunately, owing to the present situation nationally, we are unable to introduce our new headteachers to our schools directly in person, but we will endeavour to arrange to do so as soon as both schools reopen, or, if the social distancing measures continue, we will find another way to do so safely!

Chiquita Henson

Chief Executive

While we have all been at home over the Easter bank holiday weekend, and confined to quarters, our thoughts have remained with everyone in our wider learning community.

 

During this period of self-isolation and social distancing, staff across The Corinium Education Trust have been finding new things to do, engaging in well-established hobbies such as gardening or baking and taking exercise. They have also been mindful of others and have taken care to support each other and, by working remotely together in teams, they have promoted the key messages.

 

Staff at Chesterton Primary School shared a special Easter message with their pupils and parents and their creative montage (see picture below) made it on to the local BBC News on Points West on Monday 13 April 2020 and BBC Radio Gloucestershire. Each member of staff was given a word to decorate and then photograph and these were then assembled to make the message.
 
 ‘The staff came together to share a message to the children to remind them that we are missing them and hope that they are safe and well. It was a pleasure to see that everyone was keen to be involved to reach out to our families.’ Karen Venner, Headteacher, Chesterton Primary School.

 

Similarly, staff at Deer Park rose to their own Easter Egg Challenge and shared a video on their school’s website and across social media to wish all members of the school’s learning community a Happy Easter. Read more...

 

‘It was a lovely idea and I was happy to be part of it; my son enjoyed throwing me the Easter egg - we had quite a few “outtakes”!’  ‘Only just seen this - how lovely! Really cheered me up!’  ‘Thank you – it made me smile!’

 

‘I am really pleased to see that the lockdown has not suppressed the spirit of collaboration which is so much a part of our ethos. I am grateful to all members of staff and fully appreciate that while taking a break, they are also still thinking about our children and young people and their needs.’ Chiquita Henson, Chief Executive, Corinium Education Trust. 

 

‘I would like to wish all children, parents, school staff and everyone’s extended families all the best over the break and in the coming weeks. We all miss everyone very much and hope everyone is able to stay safe and well during these difficult times.’ Carol Dougill, Executive Headteacher, Kemble and Siddington C of E Primary Schools.

 

Mrs Dougill also shared a link to the Axel Sheffler illustrated book that families may find useful: Coronavirus, A Book for Children.