New Principals visit academy builds
Leaders have been appointed by the Trust to take charge of North East Lincolnshire's first new primary schools in decades.
Mel Portlock will be Principal at Scartho Gateway Academy and Lindsay Holness, Waltham Gateway Academy, when they open their doors in September.
The schools - on Scartho Top, behind Aldi, and off Sunningdale in Waltham - will take the numbers of academies in the Trust to 10.
The new Principals visited with Chair of the Trust Philip Bond, Chief Executive Officer Martin Brown and Executive Principal Andrew Clark.
Mr Brown said: "It's really exciting to see the buildings take shape and great to bring both Principals to the sites for them to see the progress being made.
"They are really strong leaders who will make a terrific success of their new roles."
He thanked partners North East Lincolnshire Council and its regeneration partner Equans for facilitating the visit.
Mr Clark was delighted by the appointments.
"They were fantastic candidates," he said. "Both are fully committed, dedicated and invested in the project.
"From where we started two years ago, with the initial plans, to today has been quite a journey.
"Now, we're looking forward to welcoming the academies' first children in September."
Mrs Portlock and Mrs Holness are first time Principals.
The former, currently Assistant Principal at the Trust's Pilgrim Academy in Immingham, was "extremely proud".
"I am looking forward to meeting our children and parents and I can't wait to start work with our new team," she said.
"It's really exciting to see it coming together so quickly. Being part of this community on Scartho Top is going to be a great opportunity.
"Seeing the front entrance start to take form, you start to think about the children arriving on their first day.
"I'm honoured to be a Principal in the Trust. I've worked with them for 13 years and have built my way up. I've always been supported with my career progression.
"I have been part of the project from the very beginning, so seeing the schools now start to take shape is making it all feel very real.
"I'm really looking forward to building and leading a fabulous team, with a fully inclusive approach, to the benefit of the children who will attend Scartho Gateway."
Lindsay was Head of School at Cloverfields Primary in Humberston before switching to be Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) at Waltham Leas Primary.
"It is a huge opportunity to be opening a new school and will make a real difference in the local community," she said.
"I'm excited at the possibilities."
The mainstream academies will eventually have 210 pupils on roll each plus a Resource Specialist Provision (RSP) for 12 children with Social, Emotional, Mental Health needs around communication and interaction. RSP partners include the council and Trauma Informed Schools UK.
Mrs Holness said: "I am trained in the trauma-informed approach and see the value and difference it makes to the children and staff.
"Being able to lead a school that is committed to that approach is amazing.
"The relational approach ensures that we see the child first, building trust and ensuring everyone feels supported. The impact is that everybody is in a regulated place to learn and has an opportunity to achieve their potential.
"If we can get it right in a primary setting, pupils have the chance to go on and do great things when they are older. It gives them the best start in life."
Mr Bond welcomed an opportunity to see the builds.
"It's been hard to visualize how big they actually are," he said. "From a Trust perspective, it has been great to manage a school which started with a proposal on a presentation and will end with them welcoming pupils in September.
"Everything about the schools is new. For example, solar panels on the roof will help ensure they are run in a sustainable fashion.
"I'm just looking forward to seeing them opening and welcoming our children and their families."
The build project is being managed by the council's regeneration partners Equans and being built by Hobson & Porter.
Places are available from September for reception-age through to Year 4.
Parents / carers interested in their child or children attending either academy should email enquiries@scarthogatewayacademy.co.uk or enquires@walthamgatewayacademy.co.uk or go to their websites at scarthogatewayacademy.co.uk or walthamgatewayacademy.co.uk
Principal 1: The newly appointed Principals Lindsay Holness (left) and Mel Portlock.
Principal 4: Executive Principal (Primary) at Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust Andrew Clark with Scartho Gateway Principal Mel Portlock.
Principal 5: Principal at Scartho Gateway Academy Mel Portlock at the site of the new school with (left to right) Chair of Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust Philip Bond, Chief Executive Officer Martin Brown, and Executive Principal (Primary) Andrew Clark.
Principal 6: On the site of the new school in Waltham are Principal Lindsay Holness with (left to right) Chair of Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust Philip Bond, Chief Executive Officer Martin Brown, and Executive Principal (Primary) Andrew Clark.
Principal 7: Chair of Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust Philip Bond with Waltham Gateway Principal Lindsay Holness.