Update on the school - Answering your questions

Dear families

Update on the school - Answering your questions

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Trust that manages your school, I wanted to write to all our families with further information about how we will be recruiting a replacement for Headteacher, Matt Clifford, who has announced he will be leaving us to pursue a new career opportunity at the end of the academic year. I know some of you have also asked us questions about the way forward for the school, following the news last week. 

Mr DeSouza

Some parents have contacted the school office to ask why the plan, for example, is to appoint Gemma Vincent, a senior leader from one of our other schools, as the interim Head of School, instead of the current Deputy, Mr DeSouza? 

Mr DeSouza told us just before Christmas that he had secured another role and was leaving Kingfisher at Easter. The school wanted to announce Mr DeSouza’s departure after the February half term. 

Mr DeSouza has, of course, done a fantastic job at  Kingfisher and is much loved by the children and families. We all wish him and his family the very best for the future. We will shortly be interviewing for a new Deputy Headteacher.

Interim appointment

Gemma Vincent, currently Associate Headteacher at Woodpecker Hall Academy, will take on the leadership of the school on an interim basis in July. This will allow us to recruit for a new Headteacher and crucially, enable the school to plan for the start of the new academic year in September.

Some families have asked us how they can find out more about Gemma? We will arrange for Gemma to meet with parents in the Summer term, so you will have a chance to begin to get to know her. She already knows the school well. One of her leadership roles with us has been to help train teachers across the schools in our Trust. She is not only highly regarded by the Trust but in the Borough as a whole because of her reputation and track record of success.

Recruiting

We have been asked how long will it take to recruit a successor to Matt? As you may know, recruiting a permanent Headteacher is not a quick process and we need to make sure we secure for the school and the children the very best candidate. This person may also need to give several months notice. All being well, we hope to be able to appoint by the end of December. Having someone of the calibre of Gemma Vincent to lead the school in the meantime during this period is therefore invaluable.

The future

I frequently visit Kingfisher. It is a wonderful school with a very dedicated teaching and learning team. I have also been fortunate to get to know many of our families. I know you love and care deeply for your children and their futures. There is also a strong governing body, totally committed to doing the very best for the children. So, while it is always sad when colleagues move on to new jobs, I know Kingfisher has a very bright and exciting future ahead. 

I hope everyone has a lovely half-term. 

Marino Charalambous

Chief Executive Officer