Wednesday December 5 | 2018
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Education
NEWS
23
EDUCATION Times
A new head for a new decade
As founding principal Sian Carr departs after ten years at Skinners’ Kent Academy, the school reveals its new leader The Skinners’ Kent Academy Trust has announced that Dr Hilary Macaulay has been appointed its Executive Dr Hilary Macaulay Principal, following a ‘rigorous’ recruitment process. Dr Macaulay will lead The Skinners’ Kent Academy as Principal and will be Executive Principal across the Trust – building on the considerable successes achieved to date. She will join the academy as Executive Principal designate in the summer to support a strong transition, before fully taking over from the school’s founding Principal Sian Carr in September 2019. Ms Carr held the position for the past ten years since the academy opened. Most recently, Dr Macaulay was CEO of Venturers Trust in Bristol; a trust borne out of her successfully leading the merger of the CGS Trust
and Merchants’ Academy Trust. Comprising primary, secondary, allage schools and a special school, the Trust has 3,500 pupils and 700 staff. Dr Macaulay has also recently been a Visiting Professor at Bristol University. Prior to joining the Venturers Trust, Dr Macaulay was Principal of Harris City Academy Crystal Palace. The academy was awarded the judgement of ‘outstanding’ in every category by Ofsted, who cited her excellent leadership as the defining factor in the academy’s success. Dr Macaulay brings considerable experience in education as a teacher, published academic researcher and academy principal, following her early career which started in the Army at Sandhurst. Sarah Stallebrass, Chair of Governors, said: “Sian Carr, the Trust’s current Executive Principal has done a fantastic job. Both The Skinners’ Kent Academy and Skinners’ Kent Primary School have achieved considerable success under her leadership and the Trustees are immensely proud of our
schools’ achievements. “The next phase of our development is a very exciting one, and we are delighted that Dr Macaulay will be joining us following her return to the South-East of England to lead staff and students alike to further success.” Dr Macaulay said: “I am both delighted and honoured to have been appointed to this post. The Trust has an impressive track record of providing LOOKING TO THE FUTURE The Skinners’ Kent Academy
all students, regardless of background or ability, with an excellent education. “I look forward to leading the Trust on the next phase of its journey, working with teachers, students, parents and sponsors in raising students’ achievement even further and providing the very best opportunities and experiences, ensuring they have the qualifications, skills and character to reach their true potential.”
DIGGING IN: Pupils are keen to help
Planting the seeds of hope Staff and pupils of Oakley School have ensured that the trees which had to be cut down during the summer in order to make room for new classrooms were replaced courtesy of the Woodland Trust Community Trees Scheme. In July, the Pembury Road school applied for a small copse pack containing 30 trees to plant. They began planting them last week, with the aim of creating another wildlife area at the back of the school. A spokesperson said: “We were delighted that our application was successful and would like to say a huge thank you to the Woodland Trust for providing us with this amazing resource.”