Our new special school – feature in Ipswich Star
Today the Ipswich Star featured the new special school that Paradigm Trust is planning to open in 2022, Woodbridge Road Academy. You can read the article here:
Claire Willis appointed Principal of Murrayfield Primary Academy
Claire Willis, current Assistant Principal at Murrayfield Primary Academy, will take over running Murrayfield Primary Academy from current Principal Neil Winn on 1st January. Neil will be working with her on a gradual transition before he leaves the school at the end of December.
Claire Willis, Principal, Murrayfield Primary Academy said:
“I am absolutely delighted to take on the role of Principal at Murrayfield Primary Academy and am committed to ensuring our pupils keep achieving those marginal gains that lead to great progress. This will happen by working not only with our teachers but also with the other schools in the Paradigm Trust and our wonderful community. During my time as Principal, Murrayfield will continue to look at new ways of learning to ensure all our children have access to the education they need to reach their potential.”
Bill Holledge, CEO of Paradigm Trust said:
“We are so pleased that, following a full and thorough selection process, Claire is taking on the role of Principal at Murrayfield Primary Academy. She has been a huge support to Neil and his team and instrumental in ensuring the school continues to develop and flourish.”
Following twenty years of teaching experience across primary, secondary and international schools where she held roles including Head of Faculty and Director of Learning, Claire joined Murrayfield in January 2018 as Assistant Principal and Special Education Needs Coordinator. Since then she has helped pupils make strong progress in their education and has been instrumental in setting up a Special Educational Needs Unit at the school for children with communication and interaction needs from September this year.
Murrayfield was rated Good by OFSTED this time last year after standards in English and Mathematics rose dramatically, leading to the school’s best overall attainment results in its history. The school is responsible for the education of 60 Ipswich children per year group, as well as a 26-place nursery.
Paradigm Trust ensures all its schools offers a fantastic education in a friendly and supportive atmosphere, supported by enrichment opportunities that enable children to have the best opportunity to reach their potential.
Updated: Appeals procedure for summer 2020 exams
Due to recent changes around GCSE grades for the academic year 19/20, we have adapted our process with regard to results and appeals. You can view this document here or by going to our policies page.
Please note that the appeals process has been written with the information that we currently have and it could be subject to change if the Government makes further changes.
Students excel in English and Maths at Ipswich Academy
Results for students achieving between a grade 9 and 4 in English and Maths at Ipswich Academy is 62%, despite an unprecedented final year due to the coronavirus lockdown. They will officially receive their results in school from 9am this morning.
Abbie Thorrington, Principal at Ipswich Academy says:
“All the staff at Ipswich Academy want to say a big thank you to our year 11 students, their families and our wonderfully supportive community today. Navigating such an important year in their education through the coronavirus lockdown has been testing for all of us but their hard work, strength and resilience is demonstrated by the results today. They have all been amazing, we are incredibly proud and will continue to support them as they move into the further education of their choice.”
In line with Government policy, due to the coronavirus lockdown, GCSE grades have been awarded by the school with the support of the official exam regulator Ofqual. Year 11 students have been learning remotely with support from Ipswich Academy and their teachers since schools closed on 20th March.
Ipswich Academy was rated Good by Ofsted with Outstanding for leadership and management last year. The Ofsted report recognised that the leaders in the school had ‘transformed the culture of the school’ and were ‘building strong and effective partnerships with the community’ ensuring pupils and their families have the best possible experience.
Paradigm Trust to open new school on Woodbridge Road for Suffolk children with communication and interaction needs
At Paradigm, we pride ourselves on ensuring all pupils have every opportunity to meet their potential which is why we are pleased to announce that we have been awarded the provision for a new school for children in Key Stage 2 – 4 with communication and interaction needs in Ipswich.
The school which, will have 60 children, is due to open in September 2022 in a new building on Woodbridge Road. This will be our fourth Ipswich School, alongside Ipswich Academy, Piper’s Vale and Murrayfield Primary Academies, all of which have achieved great academic progress and community support since coming under our care.
As a Trust, through our partnership with UK specialist Phoenix School in London, we already offer a very high level of expertise in special educational needs within our existing school network and this new school will be designed to work as an extension of this, providing more focused support for children learning with communication and interaction needs.
This is fantastic news for both the children of Ipswich and the town , as it will mean that, for the first time, children with communication and interaction needs in Ipswich will have bespoke provision in a school available to them in their local community.
The new school is being funded through the Government’s free schools programme.
RSHE engagement results
Please click on the following documents to view the RSHE engagement results: