I should start this latest briefing by wishing everyone a “Happy New Year”, though as we’re closer to the Chinese New Year festivities than we are to the western calendar ones: I’ll therefore wish you all good luck for the Rooster year!

We’ve started 2017 with a lot recruitment activity. We’re currently in the process of nationally advertising the Headteacher roles at Hilltop and Pennine View and all of our schools have either recruited or are in the process of recruiting new staff. We have 3 new teachers due to start at Hilltop school (Alex Stark, Victoria Proctor and Jenny Dawson) and we are currently recruiting to new teacher roles at Pennine View, too!

A big welcome to Jayne Fitzgerald (Strategic Lead at Rotherham Parent Forum Ltd), who has recently been appointed onto the Board of Directors for the Trust. Jayne will provide a really strong link between the MAT and the work of Rotherham Parent Forum, an organisation established to coordinate (and advocate for) the voices of families with a child or children with special educational needs. Jayne also shares the same personal qualities and values of our other Directors: she’s passionate about doing the best job possible to ensure our schools are supported to be the best we can be! I’m thrilled Jayne’s committing the time to work with us.

We have recently appointed an Intervention Board at Pennine View to oversee the conversion of the school to a Nexus academy and to also ensure that there is sufficient “grip” of the improvement agenda as the school moves out of special measures. The governing body has been retained in an advisory capacity, and we are now seeking new governors to strengthen this body. John Coleman (Nexus Member/Director) has kindly offered to chair the Intervention Board which includes in its membership: DMBC representative Chris Fallon; chair of governors Julianne Duffy; Kelford Senior Deputy Sarah Mulhall (who will lead on Safeguarding); and I’m also really pleased that Lisa Suter—Headteacher of Heatherwood Special School in Doncaster—has agreed to be a member of the Intervention Board. This will ensure Pennine View continues to have a tangible link to the family of Doncaster special schools, whilst also benefiting from Lisa’s extensive knowledge and experience as a special school leader.

There’s lots of work happening in the background to try and progress our ambitions for new provision, as per our strategic plan (which is on the Trust website. If you haven’t checked it out already it can be accessed here. It’s a bit early to share details this month, but we’re working really hard to have something to announce really soon!

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