Two South Ockendon primary schools to share head teacher Amanda Champ

THE GOVERNORS of two borough primary schools have decided that two heads are not always better than one, after jointly appointing one executive head teacher to run both schools.

Amanda Champ starts her new position as executive head teacher of both Benyon Primary and Shaw Primary in South Ockendon in January.

The schools’ governing bodies worked hard to advertise the post, attracting 27 responses to the advert.

Ms Champ, described as an “outstanding leader” by Ofsted, was already the interim head teacher at Benyon Primary.

The schools will continue to be run as separate entities, and this appointment will enable each to strengthen the deputy head roles of both schools as well as increasing curriculum support, special educational needs, teacher development and other areas of school management.

Councillor Sue MacPherson, Thurrock Council’s Cabinet member for Children’s Services, including education, said: “When I first heard of this innovative project I was really impressed.

“Now it has come to fruition and I’m sure both schools and their pupils will benefit.

“The problem of attracting top-quality heads to small schools is not local to Thurrock, but national cause for concern.

“Now that we have proved that joint working can be a success I can see this could open more opportunities for us.

She added: “Thurrock is committed to getting the best leaders for our schools and I welcome Amanda’s appointment.”

Miss Champ said of her new appointment: “I am absolutely thrilled and very proud to have been appointed as the Executive Head teacher of Benyon and Shaw Primary schools.

“I am really looking forward to working with staff to ensure that we provide the best education that we can for the pupils in both schools.”

Joe Dorado, the Chair of Governors from Shaw Primary School said: “At Shaw we are delighted to have been able to appoint Amanda and are very much looking forward to this new and exciting educational project.”

Julie Lawrence, the Chair of Governors at Benyon Primary school, added: “Miss Champ has a great love for her work and this, along with her vision, will ensure that this new and challenging project, which is the first of its kind in Thurrock, is a real success.”

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