Easter newsletter

This week has been a fabulous sunny end to module 4, with all of our students learning together on site at LAB. The last 3 ½ weeks have been an operational challenge: with lateral flow testing added to our daily routine but, as always, staff and students have worked together to ensure the process ran smoothly and was successful. The introduction of home testing has gone well and I’d like to thank parents and carers for their ongoing support in making sure that the tests are undertaken on time and the results recorded appropriately.

We are saying goodbye to two members of staff this week and I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to both Ms Newton and Mrs Donnelly for their hard work and dedication whilst working at LAB. Ms Newton is moving on to a career outside of teaching and Mrs Donnelly is taking up the position of Associate Principal at Cornerstone School, a specialist school in Bexley for students with complex social, emotional and mental health needs.

We have been very busy recruiting over the last 6 weeks as we prepare for the next stage of the academy’s growth. We will be introducing new colleagues to you over the next few editions of LAB News but I am happy to announce the following internal promotions:

Ms Collins Jones - Director of Learning Language and Literature (English)

Mr Tebbut - Director of Learning Physical Health and Education

Ms Cameron Smith - Head of Visual Arts

We received overwhelming interest for our Assistant Principal (AP) vacancy, receiving 96 applications. With Mrs Donnelly’s departure we were able to appoint 2 new AP’s and I am pleased to announce that Ms Garcia was appointed as AP for Sancho College, starting in April, and Mr Ritchie, currently a Director of Improvement for maths across the Leigh Academies Trust, will be joining us as AP for Airy in August.

I hope that you all have a peaceful and joyous Easter holiday, and we look forward to welcoming the students back on Monday 19th April. Gates will be open from 8.00am.

Best wishes,

E Smith