NEW PRINCIPAL PRIORITISES INCLUSIVITY ON EVERGREEN’S JOURNEY TO EXCEPTIONAL
“THERE IS A PLACE HERE FOR EVERYONE” – NEW PRINCIPAL PRIORITISES INCLUSIVITY ON EVERGREEN’S JOURNEY TO EXCEPTIONAL
One of Bristol’s most improved schools has appointed a new Principal to lead the next stage of its journey ‘to exceptional and beyond’.
Kerry Coote will take over as Principal at Evergreen Primary Academy – part of the Cabot Learning Federation – in September.
She will be stepping up from her role as Senior Vice Principal, in which she has supported Principal Jan Saunders to drive the improvements which earned a recent Ofsted rating of ‘good, with outstanding leadership and pupil development’.
Kerry – who began her career at St Stephen’s Junior School in Kingswood, before moving to Summerhill Academy and on to Evergreen in 2021 – secured the position after impressing the interview panel with her passion for the role, commitment to the Evergreen community, and her understanding of strong leadership within a trust.
She now says she is looking forward to leading the Evergreen team to build on recent progress, further improving teaching and raising pupil aspirations and outcomes – all while juggling the challenges presented by working in a diverse community where deprivation levels are high and only one in eight pupils (12%) speak English as a first language.
Kerry Coote, incoming Principal at Evergreen Primary Academy, said:
“Evergreen is a unique and diverse school with a warm community feel. Many families here suffer some form of deprivation or vulnerability and therefore the school works tirelessly to support both children and their families.
“At the heart of Evergreen are strong relationships. We take time to get to know our children as individuals and ensure they have what they need to perform their best academically.
“At Evergreen there is a strong sense of belonging. There is a place here for everyone. Everyone here is valued and respected.
“Expectations have risen over recent years, both for the staff team and the children. This has driven the school to improve in all areas and we will continue to drive the school to further improve to become an exceptional school in the next three years.
“The next steps for the academy include the continuing drive to improve teaching and learning, the continuation of the building of relationships with the community to support our parents to feel empowered and to raise aspirations for our children and teaching them the power of their voice.
“I feel honoured to be part of the Evergreen team as they all work exceptionally hard to support all children both academically and emotionally. I look forward to leading the team to continue to raise standards and improve life chances for the Evergreen children.”
Kate Richardson, Executive Principal at the Cabot Learning Federation, said:
“Kerry impressed throughout the recruitment process with her passion for the role and her understanding of strong leadership within a trust. Kerry has a deep understanding of the school and its community and has exciting plans for the future.
“We are looking forward to working with her to build on our recent Ofsted success and take Evergreen to exceptional and beyond.”
Jan Saunders, Acting Principal at Evergreen Primary Academy, said:
“The improvement journey of Evergreen Primary Academy has been in the hands of many people within our trust, and I have been lucky enough to be part of that this year.
“I am delighted that Kerry Coote will be continuing this journey in September along with the great team and community of Evergreen.”
ENDS – March 27, 2023
Picture caption: Kerry Coote will step up to the role of Principal at Evergreen Primary Academy in September.
