Dear parents,

As you are no doubt aware, the selection process for our new Head Teacher took place on Thursday and Friday last week. I am delighted to tell you that the Governors have appointed Mrs Ballard to the permanent position of Head Teacher.  I am sure you will join me in congratulating her, and support her in her new role as only the Willow Brook family can.

This was not a straightforward decision.  The standard of applications was high, and the shortlist of candidates was very strong, all four being experienced deputy head teachers.  You can be sure that Mrs Ballard has proven her merit, and the school’s outlook is bright under her leadership.

We have a number of Governors’ meetings scheduled for the next few weeks, and I am very much looking forward to hearing more detail of Mrs Ballard’s vision for the future of the school.  Watch this space, exciting times ahead!

At this point, I must mention the contribution that all of the children at Willow Brook made to the process.  Everyone we interviewed told us they wanted to come to Willow Brook because of how the school feels when you visit it, and that is thanks to your children.  They are a credit to you: whether they are being polite and courteous to adult visitors and to each other around school, playing with children of all ages at break time, enthusiastically working together, or enjoying eating lunch together.  Many of the children were also directly involved in the selection process, including: classes 3 and 4, who took part in a number of activities; the children we sat with at lunch, who served us our food and engaged us in fascinating conversations; the School Council, who came up with some excellent interview questions and delivered them superbly; class 6, whose classroom we stole for two days; and class 5, who gave them refuge.  It was a privilege to spend time with the children of Willow Brook during their school day, and you should be proud of them.  I thanked all of them in assembly today.

Yours faithfully

Neil Rabbitts

Chair of Governors