Headteacher to leave Haverhill school and lead the formation of new special education units

The headteacher of an ‘outstanding’ special school in Haverhill has been appointed to help develop new SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) units in five secondary and primary schools.

Georgina Ellis, headteacher of Churchill Academy, said she was proud and excited to be leading on the new development at Newmarket Academy and Castle Manor Academy in Haverhill.

Units would also be built at Burton End Primary Academy and Clements Primary Academy, both in Haverhill, and Houldsworth Valley Primary Academy in Newmarket – with all five schools part of the Unity Schools Partnership.

Mrs Ellis, who has led Churchill Academy to two top Ofsted ratings since it opened in 2015, said: “While I am sad to be leaving Churchill Academy, I am very excited about this new challenge.

“The units will allow the opportunity for pupils to benefit in both their own setting and also integrate within mainstream education.

“We know there is a great need across Suffolk for more SEND places and I look forward to helping to support bridge this gap.”

Mrs Ellis’ new role as Specialist Provision Leader will see her oversee the development of the five units from September.

She added: “We set up Churchill from nothing and was able to achieve great success thanks to the hard work and support of so many.

“I have loved my time at Churchill and the children have been absolutely phenomenal.

“Our aim is to make a similar difference to every pupil who will be attending these units.

Tim Coulson, chief executive at Unity Schools Partnership, said Mrs Ellis, who has also been headteacher at Wickhambrook Primary, was the stand-out choice for the new role.

He said: “One of our priorities within the Trust is to create more places and opportunities for SEND provision and we are delighted that Georgina will be playing such a crucial role in this development.”

Mrs Ellis is due to start her new role in January – at the same time that the new headteacher at Churchill Academy is due to begin.

To find out more about the vacancy at Churchill, visit https://
unitysp-careers.co.uk/.