Staffing moving on and staff joining us

31st of May is the last date for teaching staff to take up new posts starting in September. Now we have passed that deadline and I am able to give you the full picture. For our third year running we have a full complement of specialist teaching staff for September. Some changes are still to be made for September where expansion is planned, for example in Early Years where we plan to increase our afternoon provision and provide before and after school support. Additionally a number of LSA temporary contracts will be made permanent increasing the permanent complement by 3. This will be our focus over the next few weeks. When this is complete I will provide a further update. Staff departing: Nick Bowles Vice Principal - joined 1st January 2009 - left 22nd May 2015. As you will be aware from our newsletter, we are restructuring leadership posts here in order to save money and to protect classroom teachers and your children’s education. These planned changes in the Academy leadership have been challenging for all affected, as you would expect. The process itself is not easy for colleagues and some of the changes, while necessary, are difficult. I am sad to announce that after discussions with Nick, he left at the end of last half term to pursue other career opportunities. During his 6 years here, Nick has certainly made his mark with all those he has worked with, children, parents and staff and his departure will be keenly felt by many. On behalf of the Academy, and personally, I want to thank Nick for his significant contribution to the journey we have been on and his part in the improvements we have all seen. Andrew Carpenter – Assistant Principal – joined 1st September 2011 – leaves 31st August 2015. One of our two Assistant Principals, Andrew joined us from Cyprus having previously spent a number of years at Kingsbridge. He is leaving to a promotion as the Vice-Principal role at the all-through Plymouth School of Creative Arts. Andrew has had a significant impact on Science and assessment during his time here, in addition to bringing huge challenge and creativity to our thinking. Julie Cook – Nursery Plus teacher - joined 1st January 2009 - leaves 31st August 2015 - Julie works for the Nursery Plus team based in Dartmouth is leaving to take up a new Nursery position in Tavistock. Julie’s role is a vital one supporting those most in need in the Nursery here, and elsewhere across the South Hams. The Early Years team will miss her input and contribution to their practice. Ian Povey – Maths teacher - joined on a temporary contract to replace Simon Payne on 1st January 2015 - leaves 31st August 2015 - He has stepped in well and picked up where Simon left off. I know the Maths team have appreciated the ease with which he made the transition to Dartmouth and how well he has worked with them. Susie Ray – Secondary Literacy Lead - joined 1st September 2014 - leaves 31st August 2015 – to take a promotion as the Head of English role at Westlands, in Torbay. During her time here she has made a distinct impression on those she teaches, on colleagues and on the Academy’s drive to improve standards of literacy. Richard Read – Head of Secondary Science - joined 1st September 2011 - leaves 31st August 2015 - Richard started his teaching career here, the last year spent in charge of secondary Science. Richard leaves to take up a post in the Science team at Plymouth School of Creative Arts. Simon Risdon – Geography teacher with responsibility for Gateway, and Teaching & Learning - 1st September 2004 - leaves 31st August 2015 - started his teaching career at Dartmouth Academy, eleven years ago and is without doubt one of the strongest and most effective teachers we have here, as all those he teaches and has taught would confirm. Simon is passionate about his subject and passionate about every child achieving their best. He has consistently sought to improve his own practice and has for the past two years led our Learning Briefings, where staff come together to share good practice. Simon will be missed by many, staff and students alike, but he now has an opportunity to develop his career elsewhere, again at Plymouth School of Creative Arts. Kaarina Rose – Maths teacher - joined on a temporary contract to replace Simon Payne on 1st January 2015 - leaves 5th June 2015 - along with Ian she has added to the capacity of the Maths team at a crucial time for Year 11 and Year 6, ensuring they were able to get the best possible support for their final months leading up to their SATs and GCSEs. For all those who are leaving we wish them all the very best in their careers and futures and thank them for what they have done for Dartmouth Academy. I am sure there are many parents, students, past and present, who would echo these thoughts. Those joining the Academy in September: Jane Blumer – Head of English. Jane will lead the English team from Year 7-13. She has considerable experience in middle leadership and high expectations of the abilities of our children to succeed. Jane was educated locally at Kingsbridge and then at Oxford University, before qualifying as a teacher. Leanne Brown will be teaching English and Drama across the secondary phase and add capacity to our rapidly improving Drama department, under the leadership of Anthony Chamberlain. Leanne was also educated locally (Churston) before going to the University of Kent and then Exeter for her teacher training. James Dogherty – Geography teacher - has been teaching for 8 years in two different schools, and brings with him a real enthusiasm for Geography and a desire to use our wonderful surroundings to good effect. He has taken part in the 10 Tors and will want to support students who wish to do this again next year. Kaye Hooke – Nursery Plus teacher a former Early Years Advisor will be taking up the Nursery Plus role vacated by Julie Cook. Kaye’s role will be to support Early Years practitioners here and across the area, as Julie has been doing for the past 6 years. Steven Whyler – Maths teacher - will be joining the Maths team as the long-term replacement for Simon Payne who left at Christmas. Steven comes with an excellent reputation and a good track record of improving students’ progress in this key subject. Julian Wills – Design & Technology teacher – he is currently the Lead Teacher for DT at his present school. Julian, who starts in September, is the long term replacement for Anne Yoxall who left in December. The work we have seen from Julian’s current students and his considerable experience making him an exciting addition to the staff. We look forward to welcoming these new colleagues to the staff at Dartmouth Academy and trust they will bring a similarly positive impact on the present and future students as those who are leaving. Nick Hindmarsh, Principal