Exceptional school leaders recognised by Ofsted

Sir Michael Wilshaw, head of educational inspection body Ofsted, has written letters to three ‘exceptional’ school leaders to congratulate them on their significant improvement in schools.

Wilshaw had asked inspectors to nominate leaders who have been instrumental in raising standards and improving the prospects of youngsters in previously under-performing schools, with the letters the first to be issued as part of this new initiative to recognise exceptional system leadership.

The exceptional leaders recognised are: Dr Tom Canning, executive head at Tollgate Primary School in east London, who also took on the role of nearby executive head at Cleves Primary School which moved from ‘requires improvement’ in 2013 to achieve an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating in November 2015; Bradley Taylor, head teacher at Chiltern Gate School in Buckinghamshire, who also took on the role of interim head at nearby Maplewood School, which moved from ‘inadequate’ in 2014 to be judged ‘good’ in November 2015; and Kerrie Lewis, head teacher at Condover Church of England Primary School in Shropshire, who also took on the role of acting head teacher at nearby Shrewsbury Cathedral Catholic School, which moved from ‘inadequate’ in July 2014 to be judged ‘good in November 2015.

Wilshaw said: “I’m very pleased to celebrate the achievements of these three exceptional leaders. They have all taken risks, put themselves out there and spread good practice beyond their own schools. They are reformers who have turned their ambitions for success into reality, and raised standards for children not only at their own schools, but at other schools nearby.

“We need more great leaders in our education system. By recognising these three people, I hope others will be inspired to follow their example and take every step necessary to improve the prospects and life chances of children in their own schools and in others.”