Dear parents and carers
RE: leadership update at Hayesbrook Academy.
I wrote to you some weeks ago to explain that Mr Michael Crow had been appointed as the new Principal of Hayesbrook starting in September. Since his appointment, Mr Crow has already spent some days at the academy and will be on site every Thursday from after half-term. His induction to his new role is already well underway so that everything is ready for September.
From the end of this academic year, Mr St John will be leaving Hayesbrook to pursue new career opportunities. Mr St John has dedicated many years of his career to Hayesbrook and has held a wide range of roles as his career has progressed through the school, including Interim Principal since September 2021 under Leigh Academies Trust. We would like to thank him for his excellent service and wish him well for the future. He remains firmly in charge for the remaining months of the academic year and is supporting Mr Crow’s transfer into his new position.
Over the last few weeks, we have been making more appointments to the senior leadership team to strengthen the academy further ready for next academic year. Just before the Easter break we appointed two Heads of College (Vice Principals) to head-up Hayesbrook’s new small school model of education. Each Head of College will lead a small school making sure that standards of pastoral care are high to support pupils’ achievement, wellbeing and enjoyment at school. We will write to you again in due course to explain exactly how the small school model will work for you and your child, including the announcement of college names.
In addition, we have appointed two new Assistant Principals making a team of three in total. To add additional quality and expertise to the teaching team, we have appointed Lead Practitioners in English, maths, science and MFL. Many of these Lead Practitioner appointments are already in place with the final postholder due to join the academy in September. A summary of the new Hayesbrook senior leadership team can be found below:
Principal
Michael Crow (currently Deputy Headteacher, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys)
Heads of College
Steven Reader (currently Assistant Principal, Hayesbrook Academy)
Jenny Gray (Vice Principal, High Weald Academy since September 2021 and before that, Assistant Principal, Mascalls Academy)
Assistant Principals
Liam Upton (currently Associate Assistant Principal, Hayesbrook Academy)
Laura Kane (currently Head of English, Ark Greenwich Free School)
Gill Ansell (already Assistant Principal, Hayesbrook Academy)
This is an extremely strong team of leaders who will take Hayesbrook forward. As mentioned already, the next major step is the introduction of the small school model of education about which more information will follow soon. We have already provided a one-to-one digital device to every pupil which has further enhanced the resources available for them to learn. In September, Hayesbrook will launch the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme as part of its Key Stage 3 curriculum, strengthening further the opportunities given to our pupils. As you know already, in 2023 we will admit girls for the first time into year seven and change the school’s name to Leigh Academy Tonbridge.
All of these changes are extremely positive and will secure a bright future for the community. We are exceptionally ambitious for the academy and our pupils and are grateful for all of your support. We promise to keep you firmly updated with all new developments as the rest of the academic year develops.
Yours faithfully,
Simon Beamish
Chief Executive
