Teaching trio join Halifax
THREE new recruits have today spoken of their determination to improve one of Ipswich's primary schools.
THREE new recruits have today spoken of their determination to improve one of Ipswich's primary schools.
Halifax Primary School, in Prince of Wales Drive, fell into special measures in October 2005 after inspectors deemed the school to be failing.
The school has since made a number of changes resulting in significant improvements in standards, the school curriculum and pupil behaviour, according to an interim report published in December last year.
Despite the school's problems, acting headteacher Anna Hennell James said she did not have difficulty in recruiting staff which started in the Autumn term.
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She said: “I thought it would be difficult to recruit but I was pleasantly surprised.
“I think people see working in a school in special measures as a professional challenge. They have come without pre-conceived ideas and along with the other staff are working very hard to improve Halifax.”
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Newly qualified teacher Carly Free said the school in special measures was not a barrier to her accepting her first teaching post at Halifax.
Miss Free, 22, who teaches a class of 26 year two students, said: “I thought Halifax would be a challenge and when I came here for my interview I thought it would be a good place to start my teaching career.
“It's hard work but I love it. We will continue to make the school curriculum enjoyable for pupils.”
Year Four teacher Yvette Few, 28, said: “I've never found out how I stand as a teacher and I wanted to go through the inspection process.
“Working here has given me a big confidence boost. I did have some trepidation about coming here but I am enjoying it. The school is going in the right direction and we need to keep the momentum going.”
Karen Mills was appointed acting deputy headteacher, with responsibility for improving assessment procedures in the school.
The 49-year-old mother-of-three came from Capel St Mary Primary School.
She said: “I was working in a lovely school but in some ways it had become too easy. I wanted a personal and professional challenge.
“We really need to continue to improve the curriculum, once that happens we will be out of special measures.”
Have you seen the improvements at Halifax Primary School? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
