Head praised as she steps down
THE head teacher of a large Newcastle secondary school has left her post after deciding to take early retirement, governors have said.
Kerry Lord has stood down as the head of Walbottle Campus as it prepares to become part of a ‘multi academy trust.’
Before being confirmed as the full-time head teacher in February 2017, Ms Lord served as acting head teacher and was originally brought in as a deputy head
One of her tasks was to bring the community school’s status up to ‘good’ for the first time in its history – it had previously been stuck in the ‘requires improvement’ category. In September 2016, she achieved that goal.
Her departure comes at the end of a difficult year for the school, which was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted for the first time after inspectors heard “racist and homophobic language” in February.
The damning report highlighted concerns including poor behaviour, low attendance, inadequate teaching and pupils showing a lack of pride in their work.
Inspectors said: “Pupil attendance is low, particularly among disadvantaged pupils and is ‘getting worse’ with a third of disadvantaged pupils missing school regularly.”
At the time Ms Lord said: “This was a no-notice inspection which is quite unique in a secondary school this size to have 15 minutes’ notice – it is not a situation that any head would be happy with. We are addressing issues around attendance, we are addressing issues around attainment and progress, and all of those things are showing improvements.”
Earlier this month Northumbria Police launched an investigation into a fight at the school which left a pupil with head injuries.
One student needed medical treatment and several others were expelled after the violent incident.
Walbottle Campus Chair of Governors Stephen Bell said: “After careful consideration, Ms Lord has made the decision to take early retirement and leave Walbottle Campus as it embarks on the next phase of its journey.
“Ms Lord took on the role of Head Teacher in extremely difficult circumstances and against a background of enormous challenge.
“Ms Lord brought much needed stability to the school and has worked extremely hard to improve all aspects of school life at Walbottle Campus as well as within the wider community of schools around the city.
“Ms Lord’s loyalty, determination and ambition have always been at the forefront of her leadership.
“The governing body acknowledge the work which she has carried out in preparing Walbottle Campus for the changes required to take it on the next step in its journey towards becoming part of a family of schools within a Multi Academy Trust and wish her all the best in the future.”