Tollbar Edge Cleethorpes Academy

Ref: PB/MEE

21 January 2010

Dear Parent/Guardian

Tollbar Edge Cleethorpes Academy

I thought it important to update you on the latest news regarding the above issue, as things are moving very quickly and you will no doubt be hearing/seeing items in the local media.

Tollbar Edge is a company, formed from Tollbar's existing partnership with Edge Hill University. The Chair and Vice Chair of Tollbar Governors are two of the directors, the other two are the Dean of Education and another senior member of staff of Edge Hill. The partnership was formed as part of our Training School status to deal with the growing demands from other schools and institutions for Tollbar to share our winning ways.

The Local Authority has decided, subject to the necessary consultation, to close Lindsey School and set up an academy to replace it. Potential sponsors to run this academy were identified and a bidding process set up. As you will now know, North East Lincolnshire has recommended to the DCSF that Tollbar Edge be selected to run the new Cleethorpes Academy.

You will, of course, wish to know what all this means for our College. Subject to ratification, Cleethorpes Academy will open in September 2010 and David Hampson will assume the role of Chief Executive there. Tollbar Governors, as part of their strategic succession planning role, some months ago adjusted the senior leadership structure of the College. When Mr Hampson was appointed as Principal and Chief Executive, three of the Vice Principals were appointed as Associate Principals. With effect from August 2010, Mr Hampson will relinquish his position of Principal of Tollbar, retaining the role of Chief Executive. This means that he will continue to direct Tollbar strategically and give it overall direction as he does now. The legal responsibility of Principal will sit with the current Associate Principals. Because these colleagues are already in place, this will be a seamless process so parents will see no difference in the leadership at Tollbar. Please be assured that Mr Hampson would not have taken on the additional role of Chief Executive of Tollbar Edge if he thought the continued level of success at Tollbar would be in any way compromised.

You may also have read of a letter we have recently received from the Schools Minister congratulating Team Tollbar on its position as one of the top twelve schools in the country when looking at sustained improvement in the proportion of students achieving 5+ A*-C GCSEs together with the very high value-added measure based on progress from KS2 to KS4. This accolade and the others we have received are very gratifying.

The results we achieve are only possible because of the sterling efforts of many. The support you as parents/guardians give to your youngsters at home together with the strong backing you give to all the staff here are key factors in Tollbar's continued success. I am confident that in these changing times, Tollbar will go from strength to strength.

Yours sincerely

Mr P Bond
Chair of Governors

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