Head Teacher Announcement - November 2020

Dear parents and carers,

As you will be aware, Mr Kelwick will be leaving us at the end of December, as he has accepted a position as headteacher at Westgate Academy in Lincoln starting on 1 January 2021. During his time at Hawthorn Tree, he has implemented a number of changes and introduced new ideas to the school that have set it on a path which will take it from strength to strength. I am sure you will all join me in thanking Mr Kelwick for all the hard work and passion he has committed to developing and improving the school, and in wishing him the very best of luck as he takes on his new role.

I am delighted to announce that Mrs Kadar, our long-standing deputy headteacher, and Mr Brady, assistant headteacher, have both agreed to take on the position of Acting Headteacher from 1 January, for the rest of the school year. They will run the school on a job share basis, with Mrs Kadar working as Acting Headteacher Monday-Thursday, and Mr Brady on a Friday. Both Mrs Kadar and Mr Brady are highly skilled senior leaders within the school, and their knowledge and calm approach have proven to be invaluable as they have carried out their roles within the senior management team, especially during this global pandemic. Governors are confident in the decision to appoint them to the position of Acting Head and will give them our full support in the role.

Hawthorn Tree is a maintained school, and so the Governing Body has taken advice from the Local Authority regarding the recruitment process for a new headteacher. It is important that this process meets the requirements of employment law and that it is open and fair. Acting on this advice, we are currently planning to carry out recruitment with a view to appointing a permanent headteacher to start in September 2021. We will pay careful attention to the vision and strategic direction of the school when advertising, to ensure that Hawthorn Tree secures a candidate with the requisite skills and drive to continue to move the school forward.

Yours sincerely,

John Ailsby
Chair of Governors