Bill Holledge – Chief Executive and Director
Bill is chief executive and an ex officio director. Bill has almost 20 years’ experience of working with schools (both primary and secondary) across a wide range of roles: headteacher; chair of governors; trustee of a multi-academy trust; company secretary and, latterly, as chief operating officer for Paradigm Trust.
As a headteacher, Bill brought his school out of special measures, delivered a step change in pupil outcomes and achieved an outstanding inspection judgment for leadership and management. Prior to his teaching career, Bill worked for three years within a global IT strategy consultancy. He has also held various roles within the Department for Education, including working as a policy fellow, with a particular focus on developing a school-led system; inspection reform and workload reduction.
Bill is a passionate advocate of Paradigm’s vision of giving children the educational opportunities they deserve, and a firm believer that the key to great outcomes is great teaching.
Train to teach with Paradigm Trust – Ipswich information event – 24 January 2017 – Ipswich Town Hall
Are you thinking about kick-starting an exciting new career in teaching? If so, the Ipswich Train to Teach roadshow is the perfect opportunity for you to learn all you need to know about teacher training and how to apply.
Who is this event for?
The event is designed for anyone who has a degree and is interested in teaching – particularly those who are considering starting their initial teacher training in September 2017. It offers a great opportunity to get all your questions about teaching and teacher training answered.
What to expect
If you attend the event you’ll be able to:
- discuss the different teacher training options available, to help you decide which would best suit you
- meet representatives from our own and other schools/universities that deliver teacher training in this area, and find out about their courses and entry requirements
- receive advice on submitting a successful UCAS application
- talk to practising teachers, including those who have changed career to teach, about what a career as a teacher is really like
- find out about bursaries, scholarships and funding available for teacher training.
A downloadable/printable leaflet is available here.
How to register
www.education.gov.uk/traintoteach
We look forward to meeting you.
Updated behaviour policy
The Board of Paradigm Trust has approved an updated behaviour policy, which is available from here. The main amendments relate to the arrangements around permanent exclusions – the policy now explicitly references the prevailing guidance from the Department for Education.
Transfer of management of Murrayfield Primary
Murrayfield Community Primary School in Ipswich is the latest school to be transferred to the management of Paradigm Trust. The transfer is effective as of 1 January 2017.
Murrayfield, which has been in special measures since September 2015, is being transferred at the order of the Department for Education. Paradigm Trust was chosen as Murrayfield’s sponsoring trust because of its local connections and strong track record in improving failing schools. Paradigm Trust already runs Ipswich Academy, which has just achieved its best-ever GCSE results, and three primary schools in London (two of which are rated outstanding by Ofsted and the other good with three outstanding features).
The school’s new name is Murrayfield Primary Academy.
Amanda Phillips CBE, Chief Executive Officer of Paradigm Trust, will be principal of Murrayfield. She said:
“Paradigm Trust’s aim is to give children the educational opportunities they deserve. We are working hard to do that with our existing schools and I am confident we shall be able to do the same for the children at Murrayfield.
“I have met many Murrayfield parents and we understand that change is unsettling. We are keen that they know that we are not interested in change for change’s sake. Everything that is good for the children will continue, but we will take immediate steps to raise the quality of teaching and educational standards.
“The key to improving standards is great teaching. There will be changes as we improve the teaching in the school but we will keep them informed about those. One of our main objectives is that the school is staffed in a way that allows us to deliver the outstanding education that we believe every child deserves.”
All staff currently at Murrayfield will transfer to Paradigm Trust under TUPE legislation.
At Ipswich Academy, Amanda will be replaced by Helen Winn, formerly associate principal, who takes on the role of interim principal.
Media enquiries
For further enquiries, please contact the Paradigm Trust media team on 020 7618 9194, or email paradigmtrust@luther.co.uk.
Notes to Editor
Paradigm Trust is a multi academy trust, formed in September 2013, when the two founding schools, Old Ford Primary Academy (OFPA) and Culloden Primary Academy (CPA), converted to Academy status. In September 2014, Solebay Primary Academy (previously called CET Primary School Tower Hamlets) transferred to Paradigm Trust and Ipswich Academy (previously run by the Learning Schools Trust) transferred in September 2015.
Vicki Karas – Director
Vicki joined the board of directors of Paradigm Trust in December 2016. Additionally she is a member of the operations and finance committee.
Vicki is a Senior Executive at Lloyds Banking Group and is currently responsible for Digital Banking for the Commercial Bank. Her career spans over 25 years, predominately in Consumer Lending. She started her career at Robert Fleming, heading to MBNA to launch the Credit Card business in the UK, then joined LloydsTSB to work in the Retail Product marketing team focusing on Lending. Vicki moved away from Bank for 10 years working at GE Capital and Santander, but returned back into the LBG Group in 2014.
In addition to being a working mother, Vicki is an active Digital Ambassador for the East of England, a role focused on supporting Digital and Financial Inclusion. This covers work in schools across the region, as well as Adults and Small Businesses education to increase awareness and understanding.
Vicki’s term of office is four years. She was appointed as a co-opted director by the Trust Board on 14 December 2016.
Val Hiscock – Director
Val joined the board of directors of Paradigm Trust in December 2016.
After starting out as a secondary English specialist, she worked as a freelance proof-reader and editor and held a full time editorial post with a small specialist publishing company for several years, before moving into the City to take up the position of Deputy Director-General at the Business Services Association, working in London and Brussels.
She currently enjoys a freelance career, working with a number of smaller charities, and is a Liveryman and Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Educators.
Val’s term of office is four years. She was appointed as a co-opted director by the Trust Board on 14 December 2016. She is the trust’s link director for Ipswich Academy.
Questions and answers from open meeting at Murrayfield Community Primary School
Following the recent open meeting at Murrayfield Community Primary School, which was attended by representatives of Paradigm Trust at the invitation of the Murrayfield Interim Executive Board (IEB), we have produced a document which summarises the questions asked, and the answers provided.
New Ofsted inspection report shows that Ipswich Academy is making real progress
Following Ofsted’s visit to Ipswich Academy in October, the inspectors have now published their report (attached below). We are delighted that this shows the school has taken great strides forward and is continuing to improve.
When Paradigm Trust took over the management of Ipswich Academy in 2015, it was rated by Ofsted as ‘inadequate’. We are pleased to say that this new report rates the school as ‘requires improvement’. While this is still below where we want the school to be, it shows we are on the right track and the changes we have introduced are having the desired effect.
We are particularly pleased that the report praises the school’s management. It says: ‘high quality leadership…has transformed the school’ and ‘leaders and staff share the same vision and ambition, and show a relentless drive to improve the school further’. This is clear recognition from Ofsted of the work taking place to transform Ipswich Academy into a school of which we can all be proud.
Reacting to this new Ofsted report, Amanda Phillips, chief executive, said: “This is great news. The report shows that the inspectors are seeing the results of our efforts. Real progress has been made, and by maintaining our commitment, we can bring about powerful and lasting change to this school.
“By working together – staff, parents and pupils – we have the opportunity to transform Ipswich Academy into a vibrant and high performing school.”
A big thank you to everyone who has supported the school and its staff.
Open meeting for parents/carers of Murrayfield Community Primary School pupils
The interim executive board (IEB) of Murrayfield Community Primary School has invited Paradigm Trust to attend an open meeting on Tuesday 22 November at 2:30pm at the school. The meeting is to discuss the likely conversion of the school to academy status and it then joining Paradigm Trust. Amanda Phillips, chief executive officer of Paradigm Trust, will attend and will respond to all questions raised.
Opportunities to join as Head of Department for English or mathematics
Last September Ipswich Academy became the fourth school to become part of Paradigm Trust. There is a vacancy for a senior leader who is seeking to make an outstanding contribution. You will need to be open to fresh challenges, have high energy and commitment levels and work to the highest standards. The rewards are excellent, with Performance Related Pay for the best teachers.