St Boniface CE Primary and St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary, both located in Ventnor, will be run by one ‘corporate’ headteacher from September this year.
The Headteacher of St Wilfrid’s Miss Angela Hewkin will take up the role after the summer holidays. The current headteacher of St Boniface, Mrs Margaret Williams, is retiring in July.
The two schools have been closely working with each other for a number of years and it’s hoped this unique opportunity will allow the expertise across both schools to be shared for the benefit of pupils. The decision to appoint Miss Angela Hewkin has the full support of the two dioceses as well staff and governors of both schools and Isle of Wight Council. The appointment will be for two years with six-monthly reviews to monitor the effectiveness of the arrangement
The schools will continue to operate as two separate communities with Angela Hewkin being supported by a leadership team. She will work at each school on a specific number of days a week. All matters relating to the leadership and management of either school will be supervised by Miss Hewkin.Both schools have worked closely with each other over the years. These links were made even stronger in December 2006 when just before Christmas, a fire at Our Lady and St. Wilfrid’s Church on Trinity Road meant pupils at St Wilfrid’s Primary could not use their building for a few days due to worries over safety. St Boniface Primary made arrangements for the pupils to be taught in their classrooms until it was safe to return to St Wilfrid’s.
Looking ahead to her new role as ‘Corporate’ Headteacher, Angela Hewkin said “”This is an exciting opportunity for staff and children to share expertise, facilities and resources. I am looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities which this role will present”.
Council & Cabinet Member for Schools Leadership & Governance Patrick Joyce said “This is a set-up that I fully support. Schools working together to improve opportunities for pupils can only be a good thing, and I am sure the students, staff and parents will all benefit”.
