Rugby Free Secondary School

1 month ago

We are delighted to announce that Ms Samirah Roberts, Senior Vice Principal at the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ Holyhead School in Birmingham, has today started in post as Acting Headteacher at Rugby Free Secondary School.

Ms Roberts has already met all the staff and several parents today, all of whom have given her a very warm welcome. She will be working alongside Brenda Mullen, the Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, over the summer break. From the start of the new academic year, Ms Roberts will join Mrs Heather Roberts (no relation!), who will continue to support the school on a part-time basis.

Ms Roberts has progressed from teacher of psychology to deputy headship at this highly regarded inner-city Birmingham academy where, despite students entering with attainment levels significantly below the national average, more students than at other comparable schools go on to employment, higher education and apprenticeships.

Ms Roberts also has four years’ experience of leading the school’s sixth form, which has expanded considerably from 50 students to over 260 and is now one of the most successful non-selective institutions in Birmingham. As a result of a number of initiatives, such as the Competitive Courses Programme for disadvantaged students, almost all students achieve a place at a university of their choice, including Russell Group universities.

Committed to raising standards and unlocking the potential of every student, Ms Roberts has worked alongside national organisations such as ALPs and PiXL and also facilitates a range of National College Leadership Programmes.

We are delighted that Holyhead School has agreed to this seconded support for as little or much time as needed. Trustees are confident that Ms Roberts’ exceptional track record of delivering excellent outcomes for students will further accelerate the improvements that are already well under way and provide our students with the first-rate education they deserve.

We look forward to introducing you all to Ms Roberts! ... See MoreSee Less

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Rugby Free Secondary School

1 month ago

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have been overwhelmed by the positive response and messages of support we have received from parents and students in light of the disappointing result of the recent Ofsted inspection. We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’, as your words of encouragement have been a source of great comfort to all members of staff at the Trust and have literally brought tears to our eyes.

We are extremely proud of our school community where children, staff, and parents are the core strength of the school’s foundations. We built our school together and we will continue to work tirelessly to deliver the excellent education that each and every child deserves.

Ofsted’s report confirmed its faith in the Trust by recognising that it has “…begun to address the weaknesses at the school and is well placed to continue its improvement work”, and we give you heartfelt reassurance from the CEO and Chair of the Trust that no stone will be left unturned to deliver the school that we promised in 2015. We are confident that inspectors will see a very different school to that inspected in May during the next monitoring inspection, akin to the high expectations and standards, good quality of the teaching, and the safe and caring culture of the school that we aspire to.

We will be holding a series of meetings for all parents and carers in the first week of September. These will give the opportunity for parents and carers to ask questions, and for the Trust to provide reassurance that the actions taken since the inspection are having an impact and share a clear statement for the plans of rapid and sustainable improvement. We will also be emailing monthly updates starting in September to keep you informed of progress.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email info@learningleading.org as we are closely monitoring this throughout the summer break and will endeavour to respond within three working days. This will also ensure that we cover all FAQs for everyone at the meetings.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming you back on Thursday 5th September when we will begin the next school year with renewed confidence.

Learning Today Leading Tomorrow ... See MoreSee Less

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