Ready to stand on its own two feet

Executive headteacher at Trinity School is no longer needed as permanent head is sought for Shaw school

TRINITY School in Newbury is now deemed ready to stand on its own two feet, as the executive headteacher drafted in to help prevent the failing school from closing is no longer needed.

The position of a permanent headteacher at the Love Lane school is now available and current associate headteacher, Charlotte Wilson, has confirmed that she will be in the running for the post.

For the past two-and-a-half years, the school has been run by an executive headteacher Paul Dick, who is also headteacher of Kennet School, Thatcham, alongside Mrs Wilson after it was put on the Government's National Challenge list because of poor exam results, leaving it at risk of closure if it did not improve.

But since then the school has turned itself around, with a recent overall Ofsted grading of ‘Good' and continual improvement in exam results.

It is now felt that the school is in a good enough position to have its own headteacher as of next September.

Mrs Wilson said that if she was the successful candidate then she would continue the links with the Thatcham school: "We have shared really good links with Kennet and the relationship has been fruitful for both the schools.

"I think that if we look at Trinity from where it came from, the school and the achievements have been phenomenal.

"There are more opportunities now for the school to really push itself this year and the students are really on board and keen."

Mrs Wilson took over the daily running of the school as it entered troubled times after failing to reach the Government's 'floor targets' of 30 per cent of pupils achieving grades A* to C in at least five subjects, including mathematics and English for GCSE in 2008.

Mrs Wilson said the improvements were a result of the team effort from staff and pupils.

"It's a huge journey we have been on – it's not about one person, it's about the team and the students feel part of the team, they do want to succeed.

"We won't let it slip to where it was.

"We know our school is good and now it's time to show everyone else."

Mr Dick said: "I could not be more delighted with the fantastic progress at Trinity and the reason for that are the incredible hard work on behalf of the students and staff and the great talent in the current staff.

"I have every confidence the school will go from strength to strength."