Dear St Michael Abbey School community,

 I want to share with you my personal news that I will be stepping down and leaving as Founding Headteacher of St Michael Abbey School, at the end of this half-term. This is due to family reasons that have been ongoing for the year, which has seen my family  out of the country for long periods dealing with a complex medial issue; I hope you will understand this was not an easy decision or one I wanted to make, a school I was very happy to lead and be a part of the team.

It has been my honour to serve as the Founding Headteacher, joining the project at the beginning of 2025 and leading the school through the challenges of its early development, from establishing key systems and structures to preparing successfully for licence pre-registration. I will look back on this time as a very rewarding part of my professional career but also the privilege of being involved in such a project and what a wonderful school and place St Michael Abbey School is.

I am so proud of the new school opening this Autumn, sharing this great news and the success the whole community has made of this, as a very unique beacon of light for the independent sector right now.

I have worked closely with the Board since August, when I have had to be at home, to ensure stability and continuity, available for advisory, whilst the Leadership Team have led from the summer, strategically and operationally. My thanks in particular to our CEO, Mrs. Lily Colton, our Deputy Headteacher Pastoral, Mrs. Sasha Armitage-Pryce and especially to the Deputy Headteacher and Interim Headteacher, Miss. Deborah House, for all of their support, care and professionalism. I want to personally thank Miss House for her Headship of the school since the summer. The school is in outstanding and capable hands, with the leadership team and board support that have been there throughout the year.

I will stay in contact with the school board, team and community, and watch the success continue for the school and I wish everyone the very best for the future.  Thanks to this very unique school and school community, this future will be a very bright one for St Michael Abbey School. I am proud of my contribution to this great education story and this incredible school.

Warmest regards,