Management partnership announced with Holyrood School in Chard

The Axe Valley Community College has a new head and a new management partnership.

The governors have today (Tuesday, February 9) announced the appointment of Steven Green to the post of headteacher.

Mr Green, who is currently vice principal at Holyrood Academy in Chard, takes up this post on April 1. Previously, he was an assistant head at The Kings of Wessex Academy where he had responsibility for Sixth Form. Martin Smith, the current Axe Valley headteacher, announced his decision to step down in September.

Mr Green’s appointment is part of an exciting new management partnership with Holyrood Academy.

The governing boards of both The Axe Valley Community College and Holyrood Academy have entered a formal partnership that will be led by the current Principal of Holyrood, Martin Brook, who takes on the role of Executive Headteacher.

Under Mr Brook’s leadership, both schools will work closely to achieve a shared vision of educational excellence while retaining each school’s distinctive character. One of the strengths of the partnership is the many similarities shared between the two schools, such as academic profile of the pupils, the rural context and smaller-than-average sixth form centres.

Governors say there are significant benefits to this new partnership for all stakeholders.

Pupils will see a wider range of learning opportunities, courses and resources available to them.

Staff will benefit from a greater number of training events and be able learn from best practice in both schools.

And for parents and the wider community, the new partnership will provide stability for both schools, as together they will have greater capacity to improve and more financial resilience to face the on-going budgetary pressures that lie ahead.

The management partnership runs up to December 31, 2016. During this period, both schools will work towards creating a long-term partnership around the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) model. By 2020, the government expects all schools to be part of an academy partnership, such as a MAT.

Heather Burnett chairman of governors for The Axe Valley Community College, said: “We are delighted to announce this appointment of Mr Green as Headteacher. He is a talented and inspirational leader, who shares our vision for Axe Valley as a centre for educational excellence for all its pupils.

“We are equally delighted to announce the formal management partnership with Holyrood Academy.

“The governors and I have worked hard over the past few months to find a long-term strategic partner for the college that is compatible with our values and vision.

“In Holyrood Academy, we have found an outstanding partner, with a genuine commitment to improving the educational outcomes for all pupils, regardless of the school they attend.

“Under Mr Brook’s leadership as Executive Head, we are confident that both schools will continue to thrive and set ever-higher standards of achievement.”

Martin Smith said: “I would like to congratulate Mr Green on his appointment. Over the next half term, I am looking forward to working closely with him to ensure a smooth transfer of leadership in April. I am delighted as well that the college is entering a formal partnership with Holyrood Academy. This is a fantastic outcome for both schools.”