MELKSHAM Oak’s headteacher, Stephen Clark, has announced his retirement from the school.
The headteacher will leave the school at the end of the year and will be replaced by interim headteacher, Aidan Blowers, who has been with the school since 2012.
Announcing his retirement, Stephen Clark said, “I have had a wonderful time as a headteacher in Melksham. I’m incredibly proud of our students, school and community. This year’s exam results are good, with some of them being our best ever.
“Thank you for your support. I will miss our wonderful students and staff, but intend to cycle more and finish my motorcycle projects currently sitting untouched in my garage.”
In April last year an Ofsted report was published rating Melksham Oak as ‘requires improvement’, criticising teaching standards, leadership and management. The school was one of seven out of eight schools in the former Academy Trust of Melksham to be rated ‘inadequate’. As a result, the academy closed this year, with all eight schools joining The White Horse Federation, a multi academy trust based in Swindon.
“My intention was to guide Melksham Oak to a good Ofsted judgement and then retire,” said Stephen, “however it now appears possible that our next inspection could be over two years away. With this in mind, I have decided to step down now so that my successor can be appointed and be in position to ensure that Melksham Oak’s next Ofsted is ‘good’.”
About his appointment as interim headteacher, Aidan Blowers said, “I am very excited and proud to have been appointed as the interim headteacher of Melksham Oak.
“I am determined to build on the community ethos that Steve Clark developed during his tenure, in creating a successful, vibrant and nurturing environment for our students and staff
“I have spent 19 years as a secondary school teacher in west Wiltshire and can honestly say I have never worked with a more passionate, committed and skilled set of staff. We have the most modern and well-equipped school facility. Our students are passionate, gifted and offer so much potential. Our commitment is to further establish a school where our students can learn, achieve, have fun and grow into exceptional young adults.
“We are very excited about the journey ahead with the White Horse Federation. Their vision of “values, character and excellence in standards” absolutely marries with our own. It also provides us with the opportunity to collaborate with other schools in the federation as we drive school improvement.”
Pictured, left, Stephen Clark; right, interim headteacher, Aidan Blowers
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