September 20, 2016 10.53 am This story is over 90 months old

Head of Gainsborough academies trust leaves days into start of school term

The head of an academies trust in Gainsborough has left her position just days into the start of the new school term. Sharron Close had been a headteacher at schools in the town for over a decade but decided to leave the Tall Oaks Academy Trust at the end of August. The former executive headteacher…
Sharron Close left her role as Executive Headteacher at Tall Oaks Academy Trust in Gainsborough.

The head of an academies trust in Gainsborough has left her position just days into the start of the new school term.

Sharron Close had been a headteacher at schools in the town for over a decade but decided to leave the Tall Oaks Academy Trust at the end of August.

The former executive headteacher said that she wanted “to seek opportunities elsewhere” in a letter to parents which was forwarded to Lincolnshire Reporter, and dated August 17.

The autumn term for pupils attending schools overseen by the trust began on the same day.

Tall Oaks Academy Trust is formed of three schools in Gainsborough:

  • White’s Wood Academy – a two-form entry junior school
  • Mercer’s Wood Academy – a one-form entry primary school which received an Outstanding Ofsted rating in 2014
  • Castle Wood Academy – a new primary school, open for just one year and currently offering places in Foundation Stage and Year 1
Sue Wilson, Interim Executive Headteacher at the Tall Oaks Academy Trust and interim Head of School at Castle Wood Academy.

Sue Wilson, Interim Executive Headteacher at the Tall Oaks Academy Trust and interim Head of School at Castle Wood Academy.

Sue Wilson has been appointed as interim executive headteacher for the trust while the search for a permanent replacement is carried out.

She is combining this role with the head of school at Castle Wood Academy.

A specialist recruitment company is said to have been appointed to assist the trust in their search for a new executive headteacher.

The trust’s prospectus for 2016-17 also indicates that all three schools have temporary head and assistant headteachers in place.

In a letter to parents seen by Lincolnshire Reporter, she said: “I am very much looking forward to moving the trust forward and working with the children, staff and families that our schools serve.

“It will be an exciting for us all and I look forward to meeting with you in the forthcoming months as I work across all the school sites and at the many events we have planned for you.”