New Principal update
Dear Parent/Carer,
I am writing today with two pieces of good news for all associated with Winterstoke Hundred Academy; our new campus at Locking Parklands is now complete, and a new Principal has been appointed to lead the school from the beginning of January.
I am delighted to report that we have now taken possession of the new buildings. Keys were handed over by contractor Kier at the end of November, and the Winterstoke Hundred team has since been working tirelessly to kit out the new buildings to ensure everything will be ready for pupils at the beginning of Term 3.
Some students are being given a chance to visit the new site in the final weeks of this term, to help familiarise themselves with the layout and facilities. Our intention was to support all students in visiting the new site prior to January but due to the delay in receiving access to the building we have been unable to accommodate all students visiting prior to our move in January. Considering this, we are planning a thorough induction to the new building for the first day back on 3rd January.
We will also be inviting you to visit in due course, so you can see the new site for yourself. I am confident you will be impressed – it really is a superb, modern facility. It has been built to the highest standards, is wholly carbon neutral in operation, and is a school for the Winterstoke Hundred family and North Somerset community to be proud of.
I am also delighted to confirm that January will also mark the arrival of a new Principal. Matthew Randle has been appointed to lead the school following a rigorous national recruitment process. He was the standout candidate from a strong field of internal and external applicants, excelling throughout nine panel interviews led by senior staff and Principals from across Winterstoke Hundred Academy and the wider Cabot Learning Federation.
Mr Randle comes to Winterstoke having started his teaching career in Leicestershire and has 10 years of leadership experience in the Southwest from his time at large secondary schools in Somerset and Bristol. Most recently, he has held the post of Vice Principal with CLF Post 16 in Bristol, where he has developed strength and experience in safeguarding and leading the quality of education.
The decision to appoint Mr Randle was unanimous after he impressed panels with his strong moral purpose and commitment to ensuring a strong educational experience for all within the Winterstoke Hundred community.
You may have already seen Mr Randle onsite, as he has been spending time at Winterstoke this term in his role as Principal Designate to meet staff and students as part of his transfer process. I know he is very much looking forward to meeting you all when he joins the school full-time.
This is an exciting time for all at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, and this investment in high-quality facilities and appointments reinforces our commitment to deliver the best possible education for our students. We look forward to welcoming you to the new campus in January.
Start of Term 3
Year 7 – 10
Please find below an outline of the plans for the first day of term on 3rd January 2024.
Students will have a staggered start to the first day to ensure that all students are met at the door by key staff who will support them in finding their way around the building and to their first activities.
Each year group will receive an assembly, a tour of the new building, tutor activities to explain our expectations and key information about the new building. We will also take time to explain and show our students where they can find our support mechanisms in our new home.
3rd January 2024 – Winterstoke Hundred Academy, Locking Parklands Site
Year group start times
Year 7 and 10 – 08.40am
Year 8 and 9 – 09.30am
Each Year group will be welcomed at the front of school and students will be guided by staff to year group meeting points to start their day.
3rd January 2024 Winterstoke Hundred Academy, Beaufighter Road Site
Year 12 and 13 – 08.40am
Term 3 will also see change for our Post 16 students with the opening of the new school. Our Beaufighter Road site will be our home for Year 12 and 13 students only for the remainder of the school year. To support with these changes, students will start the first day of term 3 with an assembly and a careers session before resuming normal lessons mid-morning.
As we move to our vision of a ‘one school’ culture we hope to be able to provide a curriculum which includes KS4 students at both sites from September 2024. We are planning this currently and will provide updates to you later in the school year.
Wishing you a safe and happy break over the Christmas period and a fantastic 2024.
Yours sincerely,
Tony Searle, Executive Principal
