Staffing Update for September
As we move towards the end of the academic year, I wanted to share our staffing plans for September. There are some changes, but I want to say clearly from the outset: St George’s remains strong - very strong. There will be familiar faces, some new faces, and a good balance of continuity, freshness and experience.
Firstly, Si Ball will be leaving us at the end of the year. Si has been looking for a new challenge, and an opportunity has come up at Moor Nook, where he will be taking up a permanent contract. It certainly will not be the last we see of him, I’m sure, but for now, we wish him every success as he takes this next step in his career.
Rachel Fell will also be spending time at Moor Nook, on secondment, to strengthen teaching in Key Stage 1 whilst covering a maternity leave. Rachel spoke in her appraisal about wanting a new challenge, and this is a carefully planned opportunity for her development, whilst also supporting another school. Rach will return to St Georges throughout the academic year, fresh
Back here at St George’s, our staffing structure remains secure, familiar and strong.
Reception will remain the same, with Lisa Towers and Carol Glover teaching in Reception, supported by Jill Hession.
Class 3 will be taught by Allison Whittaker, who is returning to us. Allison is already familiar with St George’s, having previously covered Rachel’s maternity leave when Rachel had Olive. She knows the school, the curriculum and the staff, and she is lovely. Allison will be with us until Rachel returns from her secondment.
The rest of the class structure is as follows:
- Class 4 – Chelsea Davenport
- Class 5 – Ange Makepeace
- Class 6 – Andrea Millar
- Class 7 – Mark Holmes
- Class 8 – Erin Leigh
- Class 9 – Jenny Leap
- Class 10 – Lydia Ainsworth
- Class 11 – Thomas Norris
- Class 12 – Georgina McVittie
We are also delighted to welcome Erin Leigh to Class 8. Erin is a very experienced senior teacher, who moved into supply work for family reasons and is now looking to return to a full-time permanent role. She comes highly recommended, and we are very fortunate to have her joining us.
We continue to send our love and prayers to Anne Foth, who we hope will be back with us, fully recovered, after the summer.
In terms of leadership, Nic Gregson returns from maternity leave as Head of School. Naz Harrison will strengthen leadership during my secondment, whilst also teaching, including Maths alongside Mark. Emma Smith, our SENCO, will continue to be with us and will teach, amongst other things, Maths and Spelling alongside Chelsea.
As for me, I will still be very much with you. I will be at St George’s a couple of days each week until Christmas, before gradually reducing my time at Moor Nook as Rob increases his presence there.
So yes, there are changes. But they are planned changes. Thoughtful changes. Doable changes. Changes that have come from people seeking opportunities, not from panic or reaction.
The important thing is this: the personnel may shift slightly, but the feel, culture and quality of St George’s remain exactly where they should be.
Strong. Familiar. Ambitious. And full of good people.
.jpg)
