Dear Parents / Carers,
We would like to take this opportunity to share some exciting news with you all. Our current Principal, Denise Waugh, has been promoted and joins our Trust’s executive team as Executive Director of Teaching & Learning and Communications. From all at the Junior High, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Waugh, who joined the Gosforth Group back in 2010 and has championed the school and its students through countless milestones. From working tirelessly to support our students and their families through the pandemic to her significant contributions in three highly successful Ofsted inspections, we thank her for her dedication and service and wish her the very best of luck in her new role.
It is with great delight and enthusiasm that I will be taking on the role of Principal at Gosforth Junior High Academy from 15th April 2024. Tasked with serving our brilliant school and its community during this transitional period, I will ensure that our school remains focused on what is truly at its heart: our students.
As we embark on this journey together, I am deeply committed to upholding the ethos and vision of Gosforth Junior High Academy, which is encapsulated in, "create your future." This motto reflects our collective purpose as part of the Gosforth Group: to educate, support, and nurture all of our students so they can achieve their potential and fulfil their ambitious aspirations.
I have dedicated my career to fostering a love of learning and academic excellence amongst students and, having taught in various educational settings across the globe, I have gained valuable insight in to diverse and progressive educational practices. Joining Gosforth Junior High Academy in 2018, I have been actively involved in shaping the academic and personal development of our students; privileged to serve as both Leader of Teaching and Learning in English and Vice Principal, I can truly say that this is an exceptional school.
Gosforth Junior High Academy prides itself on having high expectations and high standards of achievement and, as Principal, I am committed to upholding our school’s calm, friendly, and disciplined atmosphere, which centres on our dynamic PRAISE code. The vision for our school, will remain focused on fostering a culture of inclusivity, honesty, trust, reliability, and respect for others. Staff aim to recognise and celebrate each student as an individual with unique abilities, needs and aspirations.
In line with our ethos, we remain steadfast in our duty to safeguard equality of opportunity for all members of our school community; our students will continue to develop in a caring and nurturing environment where they can build self-esteem and confidence. We strive to offer learning experiences that extend students and promote their personal development, irrespective of their academic, social, or cultural background and prepare them for their future.
As Principal, I will forge strong working partnerships between our school and the wider community, starting, most importantly, with yourselves – parents and carers. An effective and purposeful relationship between school and home means that together, we will encourage a love of learning that will stay with our children throughout their lives.
I look forward to continuing to drive the standards of excellence that Gosforth Junior High Academy is accustomed to.
Your input is both welcomed and valued, as we navigate this exciting chapter together.
Kind regards,
Miss Ciara Swain
Principal
