Leadership Transition 2021

 Dear Colleagues, Parents, Carers and Friends of Chagford CE Primary School,

Over recent weeks and months, since the Trust appointed our new CEO, Dan Morrow, school leaders across DMAT have engaged in exciting work to bring us together as a collaborative and cooperative team. This work is bringing about transformation within the Trust: Together we are a family of schools, united in our mission to sustain and strengthen our communities through exceptional education; based on the needs and aspirations of our children and the communities we serve. We will transform the life chances of children and adults alike, within and beyond our Trust.

There has been a real sense of joy in our work together this term, where we have explored the rich vision and values of our Trust. As we stride forward, enjoying opportunities to reflect the strengths in each other, we will also be able support one another's relative vulnerabilities.

The changes in leadership which you can read about here, will enable us, more than ever before to put children at the heart of everything we do, and every decision we make; leading rather than managing. This will ensure that we can really bring to the fore our civic responsibility to educate this generation of children and get it right for the next generation. Our school leaders will be empowered to serve our communities.

What do these changes mean for the Three Hares?

As you will have read in the School News Blog, Tara Penny will become Principal of North Tawton Primary, with Ed Finch taking the role of Principal at Chagford CE Primary. Sunita Chauhan will move to become Principal over Bradford Primary and BlackTorrington CE Primary Schools. Whilst the Three Hares will miss Sunita, as we move forward as a Trust, we will of course still work together as school leaders. Sarah Marvin will remain as Principal of South Tawton Primary.

My role of Executive Headteacher is also set to change, transitioning to work together with the other Executive Principals across all of our Trust schools, each with a focus area to drive forward. Though my allegiance, solely to the Three Hares will change, I am thrilled to be able to continue the work that has taken place to bring us together as a cluster of schools, just extending across a wider context.

Over the coming days before Easter and in the weeks after Easter, the transition for new leadership will continue. Executive Principals and Dan Morrow will visit all of our Trust schools so that parents and children can meet them. I hope that our Three Hares communities will extend a warm welcome to our school leaders. Meanwhile, please take two minutes to view a video about the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust changes in leadership.

As we begin a new chapter in our Trust, with lockdown restrictions shortly beginning to ease and Covid-19 vaccines taking a hold, we look forward to fulfilling our promise to you to 'be the best that we can be' in order to deliver the very best education for our children.

With kindest regards,
​Elizabeth Underwood