Shropshire Star

Shropshire teacher praised for outstanding work by chief school inspector

A Shrewsbury teacher has been named an "exceptional leader" by Government watchdogs and praised for her outstanding work.

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Kerrie Lewis, head teacher at Condover Church of England Primary School, near Shrewsbury, has been recognised by Ofsted inspectors.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw has today written letters to three "exceptional" school leaders to congratulate them on their success in supporting significant improvement in other schools, as well as their own.

The Shrewsbury Cathedral Catholic Primary School website

Mrs Lewis also took on the role of acting headteacher at nearbyand under her leadership, the school went from inadequate in July 2014 to good in November 2015.

She said: "I think it is very good that the challenge of school leadership is being recognised by Ofsted.

"There are hundreds of exceptional school leaders out there.

"For me, taking on two schools it was a professional and a personal risk and the success was down to superb staff teams at the two schools and how they were working with me for school improvements.

"But also it is about having a very supportive family because the work commitment is huge with one school but with two schools it is massive."

Mrs Lewis has been head teacher at Condover for more than five years and has worked at the school for about 10 years.

She was happy to take on the challenge of acting head teacher when the Catholic School needed improving.

She said: "It would be very hard to write a job description for a head teacher – it is a shame that people don't understand the job.

"But it is always about the team working with the head as well."

Sir Michael said: "I'm very pleased to celebrate the achievements of these three exceptional leaders.

"They have all taken risks, put themselves out there and spread good practice beyond their own schools.

"They are reformers who have turned their ambitions for success into reality, and raised standards for children not only at their own schools, but at other schools nearby.

"We need more great leaders in our education system.

"By recognising these three people, I hope others will be inspired to follow their example and take every step necessary to improve the prospects and life chances of children in their own schools and in others."

The letters were the first to be sent to teachers as part of a new initiative to recognise exceptional system leadership.

Another letter was sent to Dr Tom Canning OBE, executive head at Tollgate Primary School in east London, who also took on the role of nearby executive head at another nearby primary, Cleves Primary School.

Bradley Taylor, headteacher at Chiltern Gate School in Buckinghamshire, also received a letter from the chief inspector.

Mr Taylor also took on the role of interim head at nearby Maplewood School and the school moved from inadequate in 2014 to be judged good in November 2015.

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