A Principal has returned to his old stomping ground to help a primary school on its journey towards excellence.
Richard Gartland re-joins the Education Village Academy Trust, Darlington, as Principal of Springfield Academy.
His appointment is a welcome return to a Trust he has helped develop over many years in the past. Richard first joined Springfield as head in 2009 before fulfilling a number of senior roles within EVAT from 2013, including deputy chief executive.
He left a year ago to head two primary schools in Sunderland but has returned to help steer Springfield through the next stage of its development.
Richard said: “It is great to be back and I am looking forward to building on the work of the previous leadership team as the school continues its journey towards outstanding provision for our children.
“The aim is to provide the very best life-chances and to ready pupils for the next step of their education. It is about providing a balanced curriculum which develops the whole child, from core subjects such as maths and English to sporting abilities and social and emotional skills.
“Pupils here are fantastic and there is no better environment, including facilities and learning opportunities, for pupils to flourish.
“I have already received an incredibly warm welcome from staff, pupils, parents and carers and I will be striving to strengthen further the partnership work that already exists to ensure we fulfil our common goals.”
Mr Gartland said he planned to use the considerable expertise and best practice that existed within the trust at its other schools – Marchbank Free School, Gurney Pease, Beaumont Hill and Haughton Academy – to help raise standards further at Springfield Academy.