The new headteacher of a Suffolk secondary school has promised to bring ambition, passion and her experience in pastoral care to her role as the new academic year has begun.
Sally Morris, who had worked as headteacher at Manningtree High School in Essex since 2015, took over Ormiston Sudbury Academy (OSA) this September following the retirement of former head, Caroline Wilson.
Mrs Morris previously worked as a teacher and went on to take on various senior leadership roles in the west of the country, where she gained skills in pastoral care, teaching and learning, curriculum and student outcomes.
She said of the first week in her new role: "I cannot thank the students, staff and parents enough for the warm and positive welcome I have received.
"Whilst I haven’t come from too far geographically, I am new to Sudbury and Suffolk and am really looking forward to getting to know the area and making strong links with the local community."
Mrs Morris said she is passionate about helping students leave school with the best set of grades and skills possible, and believes qualifications broaden choices for young people.
"I am very much looking forward to bringing this same determination to transform the lives of students at Ormiston Sudbury Academy, working with our dedicated staff, talented students, and whole school community including families," she said.
"I will be ambitious for the students and, as leaders and teachers, we will be continually reflecting on and adjusting what we are doing to ensure we provide our students with every opportunity to succeed."
Mrs Morris also praised the staff at the OSA and said: "A real strength of the academy is that it is so clear how much the staff enjoy what they do and are passionately committed to the care, support and education of the students.
"They also give generously of their time to create many opportunities for young people to find and develop their talents.
"Additionally, a real advantage of being a smaller academy is that leaders and staff know each student, and their potential, really well, enabling them to ensure that they are being challenged and offered bespoke support to fulfil their own potential."
She said she is excited for plans already in place to build a new school building on the site, and will continue to deliver "the very best possible environment" for high-quality education.
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