Kennet School head advances to CEO of Kennet School Academies Trust

Kennet School headteacher Gemma Piper has been appointed to a senior role within the Kennet School Academies Trust.

As Mrs Piper looks “onwards and upwards” she will be leaving her current post as the executive headteacher of the Thatcham secondary school.

She will now focus full time on executive leadership and strategy for the trust, which comprises Kennet, Whitelands Park Primary School and Francis Baily Primary.

Current senior deputy headteacher Grace Rigg will take on the role of acting headteacher from September 1 until a permanent headteacher is appointed.

Mrs Piper said: “‘I am really excited for both the trust and our schools as we step into the next phase of development.

“I look forward to working with headteachers and senior leaders across our trust as we further implement our school improvement programme and will be sharing central trust news regularly with our community.”

Chairman of the board of directors Mike Cole said: “Her move to becoming CEO reinforces our commitment to excellent education for all of our pupils in an increasingly complex educational landscape, and to exploit the opportunities that our trust has to offer.

“We are delighted Mrs G Rigg has agreed to take the position of acting headteacher until the recruitment process is complete. This ensures Kennet has continuity of leadership over the transition period.”