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Emmanuel College announces changes at the top

One of the North East’s most successful schools has announced a change in leadership to take it into its next quarter of a century.

Emmanuel College has celebrated its silver anniversary this year, a landmark it has marked by raising £35,000 to open a new school in South Africa.

Emmanuel School Tembisa will provide low cost education for primary age children in one of the poorest townships near Johannesburg.

After eleven and a half years as full-time Principal, Jonathan Winch has accepted an invitation from governors to devote three days a week to the support of the other Principals in the Emmanuel Schools Foundation, seeking to build on their success and improve educational outcomes still further.

Mr Winch will continue as Principal of Emmanuel College with the support of a newly appointed Head of School.

Mr Winch, who was recognised in 2014 as a National Leader of Education, said: “Our three academies were established over the last 12 years to provide high quality educational opportunities and to raise aspirations in previously deprived communities. Each one has had an immensely positive impact and has been a catalyst for transformational change in its local area.

“A characteristic of each of our schools is always to strive for improvement. It makes sense for me, therefore, to share more closely what we have learned in terms of successful approaches and positive outcomes over the last 25 years at Emmanuel with our sister schools.”

Mr Winch added: “I am privileged to have an outstanding team of senior staff at Emmanuel College and it’s right that they are given the opportunity to be recognised for their commitment as the next generation of leaders. I take this step confident in the knowledge that the school I love is in safe hands.”

Matt Waterfield, current Senior Vice principal at Emmanuel, is stepping up to become Head of School.

He joined the college in 2008 as senior teacher with responsibility for curriculum and assessment before being promoted to Vice Principal for 11-16 achievement and then Senior Vice Principal.

Mr Waterfield, who is from the North East and graduated in archaeology at the University of Newcastle before training to be a teacher, said: “It’s a huge privilege to become Head of School at Emmanuel College.

“Our staff team is of the highest quality, as proven by the college’s incredible record of achievement. We have wonderful students supported by dedicated parents and I will be seeking to lead the team to ensure we maintain this successful partnership going forward.”

The changes will take effect in September.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah French .