Shrewsbury secondary school appoints new head teacher
A Shrewsbury secondary school, which is soon to granted academy status, has appointed a new head teacher to help guide it through the changes ahead.
Rob Hatch has taken on the role at The Grange Secondary School in Harlescott, which was put into special measures after a damning Ofsted report last year.
Since then, The Grange has joined forces with nearby Sundorne School and Sports College - under the title of the North Shrewsbury Federation - and principal Geoff Pettengell was appointed to oversee both schools.
“I am now delighted to welcome Rob Hatch to take on the role of head teacher at The Grange and look forward to working with him to achieve great things for the school,” said Mr Pettengell.
“It was obvious from the moment I met Rob that he had all the skills and experience necessary to take The Grange forward.
“I am fully expecting that under his guidance The Grange will be taken out of special measures and will go on to become an outstanding school.”
One of the first changes for the school will be its move to academy status on April 1 when it will be sponsored by Sundorne School - its partner in the North Shrewsbury Federation.
Mr Hatch joins The Grange after working for more than three years at the Staffordshire University Academy where he was vice-principal.
“I was delighted when Staffordshire University Academy was named as the 23rd most improved school in the country and received a letter of commendation from Michael Gove,” said Mr Hatch.
A history teacher, Mr Hatch says that he places a strong emphasis on leadership and management.
“I am absolutely delighted to have been offered the post at The Grange as it was just the position I was looking for,” he said.
“Both myself and principal Mr Pettengell are very clear on the type of job we are undertaking and the direction needed to help pupils at The Grange realise their full potential.”
When Mr Pettengell took on the role of head teacher at neighbouring Sundorne School only four years ago it was, according to statistics, the worst performing school in Shropshire with a poor take-up of places.
Now, it is one of the best schools in the county and glowing Ofsted reports bear testimony to its new-found success.
“The Grange has been making great progress over the last few months I am sure that with Rob at the helm it will continue in the same fashion following the example set by Sundorne,” added Mr Pettengell.
