A NEW headteacher is being sought to lead South Tyneside’s latest academy.
Ridgeway Primary School in South Shields is advertising for a new head of school to work alongside the executive headteacher.
The school in Park Avenue, Cleadon Park, was given notice to improve by Ofsted in February 2010.
Improvements were identified in a follow-up report, but under Government policy it was forced to apply for academy status.
The 160-pupil school officially became an academy on Friday, with South Tyneside College acting as its sponsor.
Acting headteacher Joan Gammon is now looking to return to retirement but executive head Tina Murphy, who also runs Holy Trinity C of E Primary School in South Shields, will remain in place.
Chairman of governors Coun Jim Foreman said: “What we are looking for is someone who can carry on the good work that Joan and Tina have started, because our results last year were really good. We want somebody with some real get up and go to take the school forward.
“Tina will still be there for as long as she’s needed and the head of school will be the one doing the actual work with the staff and the children.
“It is pretty exciting times. Although I was never a great lover of academy status, I think the local connection we have got with the college will be a good thing.”
The post, which carries a salary of up to £61,288, is being advertised in the Times Educational Supplement.
It says: “Ridgeway Primary School is at the start of a new era on a journey to excellence.
“An outstanding opportunity has arisen to appoint an enthusiastic and inspirational head of school, who will lead this new academy forward with the support of the executive headteacher.
“As a new academy, we are aiming to continue our improvement, achieve even more and offer our pupils fabulous opportunities to learn and achieve.”
The deadline for applications is the end of the month.
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