The governors are hoping to have someone in position in January 2014 but earlier if possible.

Mr Glasby will leave the school having gained 65% 5 A* to C in last years GCSE results, leaving it in fourth place in the borough.

The new principal will have a number of issues that he or she will want to address in order to take the school to the next level.

The job spec says it is looking for a headteacher that will have:

An extensive track record of driving and managing educational excellence;

Proven success in implementing imaginative approaches to teaching and learning;

A passionate commitment to academic attainment and the pastoral needs of all students;

The vision and capability to build upon the outstanding record of the Academy and to take it further;

A flair for working collaboratively, developing and nurturing partnerships and maintaining relations with students, staff, parents/carers, governors, our feeder primary schools and the wider community.

Palmer’s students, year 12/13 students from school sixth forms across Thurrock and their parents attended the brand new event put on by the College to help support students and their parents during such a crucial time.

The evening consisted of talks from representatives of six of the highest ranking universities in the country, including Bristol, Cambridge, King’s College – London, Oxford, Queen Mary – University of London and Southampton.

Mark Vinall, Principal of Palmer’s College said: “I am delighted that Palmer’s staff and colleagues in the university sector are collaborating so effectively in helping students prepare for higher level study at some of our finest universities.”

John Death, Head of Faculty and G&T Lead said: “Part of the College’s efforts is to support these most able students who, because they have the hardest choices, need to start early on the process of applying.” Staff were also available to give first hand careers advice and an insight into the College’s unique Gifted and Talented Programme.

The Challenge, which ends on 22nd May, sets participating organisations 24 activities to complete, with activities split across Game, Skill, Food and a special David Beckham 1 Minute Challenge. By taking part in all of the activities, Harris Academy Chafford Hundred will receive 200 Active Kids vouchers to spend this year and will also be in with a chance to win places at the Active Kids Challenge Live! event to meet Active Kids Ambassadors David Beckham and Ellie Simmonds.

Local MP Jackie Doyle-Price is calling on Active Kids registered organisations in Thurrock to have a go at the Challenge in the coming weeks. She is one of 15 MPs across the UK who will help a local organisation in their constituency take part in one of the activities in the Challenge, as part of a special national awareness campaign.

Jackie Doyle-Price said: “The Active Kids Challenge is really easy, fun and great for team building, whether it’s in the classroom or a P.E lesson. I am I’m pleased to be support the team at Sainsbury’s Chafford Hundred. I enjoyed getting involved in one of the activities on Friday and I hope others will to as there really are some great prizes on offer”

The Purpose of the visit is to create a classroom in the School for Excellence, which is based in Bhopal, India. Collette Hunnisett visited the school last year and has planned the next trip, “We are taking six parcels with us to transform a classroom at our partner school, and the parcels consist of students work, letters and resources. Teaching is very chalk and talk and we are going out to share different styles of learning and teaching methods.”

Rajesh Tiwari, the Principal of the School of Excellence, who is pictured at the school, communicates regularly with Collette. “Skype has been a valuable tool for our communication,” states Collette. “We have been able to Skype during lessons and provide opportunities for the students to share ideas. Life styles are very different and the students are always very reflective after conversations with our Indian students.”

Ormiston Park Academy is currently having a multimillion pound new build and are looking for initiative ways to ship resources out to Bhopal, “transportation costs are so expensive so we are looking for organisations or businesses to sponsor a container in which we can transport the resources we are not intending to take into the new build. The classrooms in our Bhopal School are very basic and some resources are limited, it would be so fantastic to be able to share and recycle the equipment we are not transferring to the new building.”

Plans have already been made to have a live link to the Bhopal School when the new school in Aveley opens in September. “During the visit in March we will be meeting with a team of staff from Microsoft, who will be setting the live link up in the Bhopal School. The aim is for the students to constantly have access to information in the two countries. The time difference will create some issues but most of the students in Bhopal board at the school and will constantly be around. The opportunities for our students are endless.”
Ormiston Park Academy intends to take Thurrock students out to Bhopal in the next few years. “We really want to provide opportunities for our students to spend some time in Bhopal, working alongside our Bhopal students.” What a life changing opportunity it would be.

If you are able to support the Academy or would like to be involved with the project please contact Collette Hunnisett at Ormiston Park Academy on 01708 865180.

This initiative spearheaded by the Director of Sixth Form and Cadet Officer: Lt Gregory Master-Jewitt, will help to change the fortunes of many of the young people attending the Academy. Mr Master-Jewitt said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the students from year 9 upwards to be offered the prospect of developing skills in areas such as responsibility, leadership, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance.” CCF contingents contain one or more sections from the Army, the Royal Navy, Royal Marines or the Royal Air Force, and promote the aims and values of the Services they represent.

The OPA Cadets CCF activities will take place after school. They will be provided with a uniform, parade on a weekly basis whilst receiving high quality military training in compass and map reading skills; rifle shooting and adventure training. As with the professional services OPA Cadets will have the opportunity to attend overnight 24 hour exercises and yearly central camp training in the UK.

In addition to the training the pupils will receive counts towards 80% of the following BTEC qualifications CVQO in Public Services.

In the past the CCF has been open to pupils at fee paying schools only, now it means all UK students will be offered the same opportunities to improve their futures.

The proposed new sponsors of the school, the Academy Transformation Trust (ATT), has signalled their intent in changing the fortunes of the school by offering a bumper salary with the post.

Advertising in the Times Education Supplement (TES) the ATT state that they are looking to appoint a “Principal Designate” for the new academy and are looking for an outstanding, innovative senior leader with a successful track record in the transformation of learning and raising standards.

The salary is advertised as between £90-£100,000 a year plus performance related pay.

With the completion of the multi million pound new build of OPA School looming, it opens in September, has created a demand for places. The state of the art facilities will provide OPA6th with fantastic opportunities combined with the outstanding pastoral care, creates a safe, unique and striving environment.

Director of OPA 6th form, Mr Gregory Master-Jewitt said: “We are able to provide young adults with an enjoyable experience both academically and socially. We have high expectations for our students. The teaching staffs are able to support and guide the students to achieve their qualifications and to participate in other activities designed to ensure they leave with the best possible passport to university and employment.”

Pupils will have access up to date technology. They will have access to tablet technology and the opportunity to take part in an extensive work programme. OPA6th has a strong partnership with South Essex College and many pupils divide their time between the two establishments whilst completing BETC Level three courses.

Kayleigh Curson a 6th form OPA Student stated: “We are treated like adults in an atmosphere of care whilst encouraging us to be the best we can be”.

As well as academic studies OPA6th offer opportunities to choose from a wide range of enrichment options which will enable the young people to develop both personally, socially and make many new friends.
The sixth form is headed by the Director of OPA6th Mr Gregory Master-Jewitt who has many years of teaching experience in both the independent and state sectors, he continued: “We place the quality of pastoral care at the fore front of what OPA6th provides”.

If you are interested in joining OPA6th in the academic year 2014-15 you are welcome to begin the application process now. There is a waiting list for the academic year 2013-14; if you wish to be considered for enrolment this year please contact the school.

To mark the event and to celebrate the community involvement of both the Trust and East Thurrock United, the club has joined forces with Treetops Special School in Thurrock and has entered the Ryman Disability Cup.

They will play a game against Maidstone United Deaf on Friday (March 1st) which will be preceded by a demonstration game between young players from Treetops, starting at 6pm, to be followed by an official lights switch on ceremony by Charlie Curtis, Chair of the Veolia Mardyke Trust.

The club are extremely grateful for their help and support which will help them progress as a club and extend their role in the wider community.

The lights switch on ceremony will be around 7pm.

Entry to the matches is free and the club hope the local community will turn out to support their local special school on their debut in competitive football.

Their aim is to get talented young people from local schools to perform in front of their peers.

This is a way for them to not only express themselves but to show off their talents, boost their confidence and improve their self esteem.

It is also a positive way to get a group young people to have fun together. T

The outcome of Diversity United will be a positive influence on how young people relate to each other, improve their self esteem and raise their confidence to become more involved within their community.

This event will be held on March 1st 2013 at 6pm at the Thameside Theatre, Thameside Complex, Orsett Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 5DX.

Ticket cost:

£5 per adult
£3 per child under 16 years.

For further information contact dayne@thurrock-trust.org.uk or david@thurrock-trust.org.uk