The acting headteacher at a school which has made headlines in recent weeks after the introduction of new policies is to retire.
Richard Knott, acting head of The Kingsway School, had stepped in during a 'challenging transition period' for the academy, but will be retiring later this year, according to a recent letter sent to parents and carers.
Families were issued the update on Tuesday (March 7) announcing that Mr Knott would be retiring and a new headteacher with 'strong leadership experience' would be assuming the position later this month, from March 20.
The school, which has two sites - one in Gatley and another over the A34 in Cheadle - has come under fire from both parents and teachers in recent weeks following the implementation of new 'key changes', including a policy in which students were seen waiting in huge queues outside the doors to be met by senior members of the leadership team to check they had 'everything they needed'.
A staff member who asked to remain anonymous had claimed staff were 'locking themselves in rooms' at break times and criticised the implementation of the new policies. Concerned parents reported that their children's bags were searched and that the rules had 'gotten out of hand'.
However the school told the Manchester Evening News the 'implementation of checks at the door has been received positively by most staff and children' and that staff are 'pulling together', 'modelling positive behaviour expectations continually' and 'setting a tone for focussing on learning', with changes seen already.
In a recent letter to parents and carers, the Education Learning Trust issued the 'important update' as they 'continue our efforts to provide the best possible educational experience'. The letter outlined how Mr Knott, who has worked with the school for 12 years, would be retiring at the end of the summer term, with a new headteacher, Anna Fowler set to takeover from March 20.
"Mr Knott will continue to work closely with our senior leadership team to ensure a smooth handover with minimal disruption for students," the letter said.
"Ms Fowler is an exceptional educator and brings with her strong leadership experience - something that is a priority for us in ensuring that the Kingsway School and its community is empowered to collaborate, innovate and, with the support of the Trust, fulfill its collective academic and enrichment potential."
The letter added: "The safety and wellbeing of our staff and students also remains central to The Kingsway School's vision, and Ms Fowler and the leadership team are dedicated to ensuring robust policies and procedures are supported by regular and transparent communication with all students, parents and staff."
After being contacted by the Manchester Evening News, The Education Learning Trust said: "The Education Learning Trust is confident that the high expectations held by current leaders and staff will ensure the school continues to build on its strengths, including its improved academic results in 2022. With the addition of the new Headteacher and the early indicators of positive outcomes with behaviour, we feel sure the quality of education will remain at the forefront of improvements at The Kingsway School."
The school hit the headlines last week after videos emerged of students queuing up outside the front gates following a new 'search' policy being introduced. One member of staff claimed some children were seen 'crying' while lining up and that teachers have previously been 'assaulted' by pupils prompting them to 'lock themselves in' rooms at break times.
They also added that staff had approached Ofsted with concerns, but the schools watchdog said that they were unable to comment on any complaints received in a response.
However as part of the new changes, The Kingsway School outlined the new measures were introduced in order to 'minimise time spent in the classroom engaged in conversations about being ready, which inevitably will detract from learning' and to therefore provide a 'calm, focussed start to lessons'.
Parents were asked for their support in maintaining and improving the 'standards' at the school following a survey last October, that outlined how some pupils 'worried about behaviour, especially in the corridors' and that some felt 'unsafe' seeing students wearing coats or hoods inside school when not in lessons.
A spokesperson for the school previously said: "The implementation of checks on the door has been received positively by most staff and children; naturally there will be some who take time to adjust.
"The school has been working closely with a National Leader of Education who has a very strong track record for improving schools. He has conducted extensive observations and had conversations with staff to ensure that everything being done is in the best interests of the whole school community.
"Staff are pulling together, modelling positive behaviour expectations continually and setting a tone for focussing on learning and in just two days we have seen improvements."
Previously, responding to the images and videos of pupils queuing outside, a spokesperson for The Kingsway School added: "The Kingsway School has asked families to support their children to be prepared for learning which will ultimately have a positive impact on school life. This firm approach has been very well supported by our families with the vast majority of pupils arriving on Monday with the correct equipment and ready to learn. This is a necessary step to improving achievement and behaviour in the longer term.
"There were supervised queues outside school yesterday until approximately 8:45am, because children were being asked to show that they had their learning resources ready as they entered the building; some children had to retrieve it from their bag causing a delay. Additionally, children who did not have what they needed were being provided with equipment and uniform which slowed the process. This queuing will reduce as preparedness becomes second nature to our children – an essential skill for life."
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- She reported her granddaughter missing but died without closure - now a family are desperate for answers
- 'I thought my stomach pains were just constipation... then I gave birth to my baby girl in bed'
- Former teacher allegedly ‘played' with female students’ hair and called them 'pretty’ for sexual gratification, trial hears
- Where does the North actually begin?
Huge waterfront food and drink village to open at Salford Quays
