New Principal to take the helm at George Pindar School

A new Principal has been appointed at George Pindar School, Scarborough.

Mrs Lesley Welsh, who has previously held senior leadership positions in Hartlepool and Scarborough, will take up the role of Principal on 29 April 2019.

Mrs Welsh is now in her nineteenth year as a teacher, having moved straight in to the profession after graduating from Newcastle University with a BA(Hons) in French & German. She spent ten years as Head of French at The English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College in Hartlepool, where she was also an Advanced Skills Teacher, supporting teachers in schools across Hartlepool and being at the forefront of the introduction of Primary Languages. Whilst at English Martyrs, Mrs Welsh became a Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Lead Practitioner supporting languages teachers in the North East and further afield. In 2010, she moved to Manor Community Academy in Hartlepool as Assistant Headteacher, where she later progressed to the role of Vice Principal. In 2018, she became Deputy Headteacher at Graham School, Scarborough. Originally from York, Lesley now lives in Malton with her husband and son.

Mrs Welsh said “I am delighted to be Principal at George Pindar School and am looking forward to working with staff, governors, families, colleagues across the Hope Sentamu Learning Trust and most importantly, the students themselves. I want to ensure we provide our young people with the best possible experience during their time with us. As a mum myself, I know how much faith parents put in a school when they entrust us with the education and care of their children. 

“George Pindar is a school with huge potential and I want all members of the school community – students, families and staff – to help us achieve that. Our school needs to be at the heart of the community and I want to work with all stakeholders to achieve this. Initially we will build on the work already done this year to improve pupil behaviour, in collaboration with our colleagues from Hope Sentamu Learning Trust, to introduce Positive Discipline then focus on raising aspirations and expectations. I want all members of our community to be ‘Proud to be Pindar’.

“I am passionate about teaching and learning, so I want to work with members of staff to embed Quality First Teaching and ensure that we have the highest possible expectations of our young people and help to see them thrive.”

Brian Crosby, Chief Executive Officer of the Hope Sentamu Learning Trust said “I am looking forward to working closely with Lesley as I know she is passionate about recognising the challenges faced by coastal schools and more importantly, the difference you can make to their communities. Lesley has valuable experience in Teaching, Learning, Assessment and Achievement, focusing on supporting students to make progress in all aspects of their school careers. She is hugely committed to enhancing staff development to support recruitment and retention and I am certain she will make a huge contribution to the lives of students and staff at George Pindar School.”

Mrs Welsh currently works closely with Ms Emma Robins, who has now been formally appointed as Principal at Graham School. Ms Robins has been Acting Head of School since September 2018 and will also take up her new role on 29 April. Both Principals will work alongside Mrs Helen Dowds, who took up her role as Executive Principal: Scarborough on 1 January this year. They will work together to transform both schools and ensure that their pupils are equipped to become successful citizens who contribute positively to the world they live in.

George Pindar and Graham Schools are now part of the Hope Sentamu Learning Trust, a growing multi-academy trust for both primary and secondary schools. A Church of England trust established to bring together church and community schools, Hope now has nine partner schools: Vale of York Academy, Manor Church of England Academy, Barlby High School, George Pindar School, Graham School, Poppleton Ousebank Primary, Burton Green Primary, Forest of Galtres Anglican Methodist Primary and Baldersby St James Church of England Primary.

9 April 2019