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7.
April
2014.
New headteacher appointed at Torbay's Westlands
New headteacher appointed at Westlands
Alex Newton will further drive forward school’s improvements
Following continued improvements in standards over recent months, the governors of Westlands School in Torquay have appointed a permanent Principal, Ms Alex Newton, to spearhead its drive towards becoming an outstanding school.
Ms Newton, 36, was chosen for the role following a ‘rigorous, exhaustive and challenging process of interview, testing and assessment’ by the school’s governors and trustees. She will take over the reins in September from Acting Headteacher Lyndsey Kane, who will remain at the school in the role of deputy principal.
“There’s no doubt that – over the past six months – Westlands has made significant improvements in the way it operates and the students are inspired to get more out of their education,” said Alex. “Westlands is still in the early stages of its journey towards becoming a centre for educational excellence. I’ll therefore be looking to build on the recent positive changes by placing an emphasis on further raising standards of teaching to give students the best possible opportunities for their future.
“Lyndsey has done a marvelous job over the past six months, starting the process of cultural change and demonstrating to HMI Inspectors that we are committed to drastic improvements in all areas. My role from September will be to help raise the bar even higher and work alongside staff, students, governors, parents, local primary schools and the community to deliver a secondary school that Torbay can be truly proud of.”
Alex will join the school from Ivybridge Community College – the Outstanding School that has been working with Westlands to help improve its operations – where she is Assistant Principal (with responsibility for Teaching and Learning) and previously Head of English. She has a degree in English and American Literature from the University of Kent and a PGCE from Loughborough University. Alex has also worked at schools in Northamptonshire.
“Working at Ivybridge Community College has provided me with the perfect springboard for my role at Westlands,” added Alex, who was a key member of the senior leadership team that led the school to achieve its fifth consecutive outstanding Ofsted rating. “I will be working closely with Lyndsey and other staff members to develop a similar culture of high aspirations, while celebrating the achievements of our students.”
One area that Alex is keen to improve immediately is the development of stronger relationships with local primary schools and listening to how Westlands can provide a system that caters best for its future Year 7 students.
Alex Newton’s official starting date will be Monday 1 September, though she has already started liaising closely with Lyndsey Kane and will be spending time at Westlands at least one day a week. Until Ms Newton assumes her full-time role, Lyndsey Kane will continue to serve as acting headteacher and will be responsible for the executive and management functions of the school’s operation. Mrs Kane will have the full support of governors and staff during the handover period.
Ivybridge Community College will continue to play an integral role in helping to further develop operations at Westlands School.
PHOTO CAPTION
Alex Newton, who will be the headteacher at Westlands School, Torbay, from September 2014.
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