A MALVERN headteacher has taken over the role as the new chief executive of the Diocese of Worcester Mutli-Academy Trust (DoWMAT).
Claire Davies, head of St Matthias CE Primary Academy and executive head at Elmley Castle CE First School, takes over the role from interim CEO Karen Surrall who has been responsible for the initial set up of DoWMAT.
The DoWMAT provides a route to becoming an academy for any schools across Worcestershire and Dudley wanting to join a trust with Christian values and vision.
Currently there are eight schools in the DoWMAT with a number of others in the pipeline to join.
Claire will now look to grow and develop the offer for schools, ensuring those who are part of the trust continue to be supported effectively and standards across the schools continue to improve.
“Karen has done an amazing job in establishing the DoWMAT and I’m looking forward to working alongside her for my first few months as I start to build strong professional relationships with each of the schools,” she said.
“From January, I will take on the role full time, co-ordinating the trust and building capacity within the DoWMAT to enable each of the schools to flourish.
“I am very excited about working with a group of extremely committed and dedicated headteachers, their staff teams and the local governing bodies of each academy.”
Claire has a background in school development and effectiveness and is always looking for ways to improve the schools in which she has worked so children have the best possible chance to achieve of their best.
She has also looked after school budgets; working with Academy Boards to keep schools financially viable and sustainable.
“This post will be a new challenge for me and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with schools from a different perspective,” Claire added.
“The Diocese has a strong commitment to create and sustain a family of academies working within a collaborative framework to achieve excellent outcomes for children.
“This is very reassuring for our headteachers who face many challenges in today’s educational landscape and I am pleased and excited to be part of such a worthwhile venture.”
Claire joins the DoWMAT part time in September, gradually increasing her hours over the first three months.
The DoWMAT is still relatively new with the first schools joining last February.
Claire will help to develop the structures of the Trust, providing strategic leadership and direction as well as support for the schools involved.
She will also work closely with the Diocesan Education Team to ensure that church schools within the Diocese of Worcester continue to be both challenged and supported at a time of significant change within the education landscape.
