Loddon schools to share headteacher

PUPILS at a junior school in south Norfolk who have been without a permanent headteacher for nine months will share the head of the village's high school.

From September, Hobart High School headteacher John Robson will also lead Loddon Junior School, taking over from Beverley Hall, who was placed by the county council to lead the school on a temporary basis. The junior school's previous headteacher, Paul Powell, left in May 2008.

Although 43 schools have formed partnership agreements under Norfolk County Council, this is only the second set-up between a junior and secondary school. The first agreement of its kind in the county was between Methwold High and Hockwold Primary School, near Thetford, which was announced last month, after governors at Hockwold were unable to find a suitable replacement for the outgoing headteacher.

Mr Robson said: “I am really looking forward to being able to take on the headship at Loddon Junior in addition to my current role. Mrs Hall, the staff and governors at the school have worked hard to provide a stable educational environment for the pupils and to move the school forward.

“I believe this partnership will provide exciting opportunities for both schools, with children able to enjoy the benefits of closer working between Loddon Junior and Hobart High School. Both schools will also be able to maintain their own ethos and identity and we will be keen to continue to work with parents and our communities to ensure that they play a key role in the provision of high-quality education in Loddon.”

A council spokesman said Jane Young, deputy headteacher at the junior school, and Sam Griffin, deputy headteacher of the high school, will take on enhanced day-to-day leadership.

Details of the proposal will be approved by the governing bodies of both schools in the next three weeks.

Parents are invited to discuss the plans at Loddon Junior School on March 4 at 7pm, and at Hobart High on March 5 at 7pm.