A NEW headteacher has set out her vision for the future which will focus on the pursuit of excellence.
Jenna Potter officially replaces Ian Robertson at the helm of Richmond School and Sixth Form College, which itself is embarking on a new era of education as part of the Areté Learning Trust.
Two of North Yorkshire’s most successful centres of learning, Richmond joined forces with Stokesley School on December 1 in a multi-academy trust outside of local authority control.
London-born, Cambridgeshire-bred, Mrs Potter moved to North Yorkshire to train as a teacher at York University. Her first school as a trainee was Richmond where she taught French and German.
She returned to Richmond School and Sixth Form College and for the past seven years was deputy headteacher.
Mrs Potter said: “I am keen to ensure all students are known for who they are, what their interests are and what they aspire to be. In a setting of high challenge and high support we need to ensure that students are able to realise their dreams.
“I want to know what students think we do well and less well and develop a much richer student voice agenda across the school.
“The vision is about helping students strive to be excellent, resilient, independent learners who can thrive on a local, national and international stage and develop fully, both academically and through our rich programme of extra curricular activities.”
Stokesley and Richmond schools both enjoy enviable reputations for academic and cultural achievement, as well as sporting prowess.
The move to join the Areté Learning Trust was seen as the best way forward to sustain and improve standards and provide the best possible learning environment for thousands of children aged 11-18.
While each school will maintain its unique identity, being part of a MAT will result in the sharing of best practice and joint curriculum development, increased professional development opportunities for teachers and support staff, shared governance, a common ethos and vision and better economies of scale leading to cost efficiencies in school services.
Mrs Potter said: “The trust is fully behind our vision and the two schools are very similar with a common ethos and shared values.
“We have already seen school to school improvement work being carried out to ensure future success as we all strives for excellence. Collaboration is everything and we are now in a position where we can do this at every level.”