Academy in mid-staff restructure loses head

From the Cornish Guardian - As reported by the Cornish Guardian earlier this year Fowey River Academy, recently part of the Adventure Learning Academy Trust has been undergoing a major staffing restructure with senior teachers required to reapply for their jobs.

Heads' pay debated

From the Times: 'School governors need to think very carefully before approving substantial salaries for head teachers, Nicky Morgan told MPs yesterday...“some very big numbers out there”.

West London Free School changes

This story from Hammersmith Today describes changes in structure at the West London Free School (now a multi-academy trust or MAT) and the reasons for the recent change in heads - with recently appointed Hywel Jones taking over from Dame Sally Coates who stood in after Thomas Packer and Sam Naismith.

Heads change at Harpenden Free School

Harpenden Free School head John Gibson (joined in November 2012) leaving to be replaced by Marissa Davis, formerly deputy education director at the Girls’ Day School Trust, a network of independent girls’ schools in the UK - Herts Advertiser

Cabot appoints new head from in-house reserve

An update on an original story from the Bristol Post which reported that Armando Di-Finizio, principal of Weston-super-Mare's Hans Price Academy - part of the Cabot Learning Federation - has left the school. He has been replaced by Tony Searle, more details below....

Flagship head says academy status reduces autonomy and independence

UPDATE from the TES: Melvyn Roffe commented on new rules requiring state boarding schools to make an 8% surplus: 'We can’t understand how a pragmatic conversation about how to run boarding has turned into an obligation which means we might lose boarders as a result...'

From the BBC: 'Wymondham College principal Melvyn Roffe, accused the Department for Education (DfE) of "micromanaging" schools... He said the school... became an academy because he was told this would mean major changes to our autonomy' and 'more freedom'.

Third new head in a year at Oasis Academy MediaCityUK

From the Manchester Evening News: 'Fiona O’Sullivan will take over as the new principal at Oasis Academy MediaCityUK in Salford from September... She is currently an associate principle at its sister school, the Oasis Academy in Oldham.

Vice principal to take headship of chain's new secondary free school

From the Yorkshire Evening Post: 'Rebekah Taylor is the principal designate of the Ruth Gorse Academy, which opens later this year...She is currently vice principal of the Farnley Academy, run by the Ruth Gorse Academies Trust.'

Staff reshuffles at King's Lynn schools

From Lynn News: 'Craig Morrison will lead both the King’s Lynn Academy (KLA) and the King Edward VII School (KES) from the start of the new term in September, when KES will also convert to academy status.'

ARK/United Learning veteran fills West London Free School gap

From Chiswick4.com:  'Toby Young, who led a group of parents in setting up the free school confirmed her role on Friday May 9, saying: "Dame Sally Coates (recently departed from ARK to United Learning) has very kindly agreed to keep on eye on the school this term and help us recruit a new head..."'

West London Free School seeks third head in three years

From the Evening Standard: 'Sam Naismith, current head of the West London Free School in Hammersmith, is stepping down after just over a year in the post.'

Free school head steps down after less than a year

From the Guardian, with some more details from the Judith Kerr school's website: '...Basia Lubaczewska, head at Judith Kerr primary, a German-English bilingual school in Herne Hill, south London, stepped down last month, only six months after it opened' ... interviews for replacements are being conducted...
Interim head: Dorothy Spence
Consultant head: Maura Keady

Academy head steps down to teach - replaced by a non-teacher

From Bourne Local: Robert Sloan has been appointed acting principal of Charles Read Academy in Corby Glen - replacing Ali Story, who will focus exclusively on teaching science... the school was taken over by the David Ross Education Trust in June.

New head appointed as existing head promoted

From the Braintree and Witham Times: Steven Clark has left as headteacher at Tabor Academy - The new head will be Matthew Slater, previously head of The Drapers Academy in Havering.

Liverpool academy head steps down after 8 years

From the Liverpool Echo: 'Kay Askew, principal at North Liverpool Academy (part of the Northern Schools Trust) since it was established in 2006, left her post in January. Vice-principal Rupert Stead... has now been appointed as her permanent replacement... Ms Askew turned 60 in December.'

New head for Kings Science

From the Yorkshire Post: 'The Kings Science Academy in Bradford has appointed Jane Tiller to work in the school on an interim basis until September.'

Sixth form college heads sign letter opposing £45m Harris Westminster Sixth Form

Letters published in the Independent on 31 March included one signed by the heads of London's 12 sixth form colleges in opposition to the Harris Westminster Sixth Form (free school) and a letter from Lord Nash defending it.

ARK deputy to head siteless free school

From the Croydon Guardian: Advance (free) School - a 630-pupil primary - 'is likely to launch this autumn using temporary classrooms... the DfE still locked in talks with the council about its permanent home.'

Free school with 350 competing for 120 places could be delayed

From Westend Extra: Parents are worried the council oppose Marylebone Boys school. The paper reported that council leader Philippa Roe claimed to support the school before adding: 'I should also highlight the fact that the council’s own Schools Organisation and Investment Plan indicates that a new secondary school is not required to meet current and projected levels of need in the borough until at least 2020.'

Head's speech to staff on academy status

From the Brighton and Hove News: The paper provided a pretty long transcript of the speech by Hove Park head teacher Derek Trimmer... '(academy status) would give us a greater degree of freedom and flexibility about how we spend our money... It doesn’t guarantee money but the landscape is changing and you’ve got a better chance as an academy.'