I wrote to you at the end of last academic year to confirm the appointment of Mrs Jane Tipple as Principal of Bearsted Primary Academy (BPA) on an interim basis. Since the start of this academic year she has been leading BPA in addition to her own high-performing academy, also within Leigh Academies Trust (LAT). I know that many of you have already had the chance to meet with Mrs Tipple including at our recent open event for parents.
I am now delighted to confirm that Mrs Tipple has chosen to accept the Principal role at BPA substantively from January. This means that she will devote herself full-time to the role from this stage, subject to LAT appointing a new Principal to take over at the other primary academy led by her. This decision offers high levels of continuity for pupils and parents as we embark on BPA’s second full year of opening and try to exceed the high standards set last year.
Our new staff at BPA, including Assistant Principal, Mr Coulson, have all settled in extremely well. Due to the popularity of our new academy, we are now full in all four Reception and year 1 classes; demand for nursery places is equally high. As you know, we have been able to separate our year 2 and year 3 pupils into separate classes this year and those are also filling up rapidly.
I know Mrs Tipple looks forward to continuing to work with you to make BPA the school of choice for families in the area. I have no doubt at all that this is the path we are now on.
Yours faithfully,
Simon Beamish
Chief Executive