New Skegby Academy principal has big ideas

Carl Pattison started at the school at the beginning of this term and said that the staff, pupils and parents have all been very welcoming.

He has worked as a teacher in Mansfield Woodhouse and as a local authority maths consultant, and was previously deputy headteacher at the Wainwright Primary Academy in Mansfield.

“I worked in quite a few challenging schools as a consultant and like what it’s about,” said Mr Pattison.

“The Trust is really professional and though this is a challenging area, this academy is somewhere with real potential to improve.”

Skegby Junior Academy was taken over by the Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust in the summer and in its former guise as Daneswood Junior School, was told by Ofsted that it required improvement.

Mr Pattison has already started to address behavioural problems by starting a ‘golden time’ incentive scheme that rewards children’s good behaviour with fun activities and he plans to increase sporting activities at the school, including taking part in local competitions.

“Overall what I want to do is raise standards so the attainment and progress children make is good or outstanding and so it is a fun place to come and learn,” he said.