New CEO Appointed To Take Prosper Learning Trust Forward
Prosper Learning Trust are delighted to announce that Chris Richardson has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer by Trustees.
Prosper Learning Trust comprises of five academies within Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and Northumberland local authorities. The academies are an equal mix of Alternative Provision and Special School Academies offering education to pupils with a diverse range of needs.
It is a growing Multi Academy Trust that currently comprises of two Alternative Provision Academies, Newcastle Bridges School, and Mary Astell Academy, both in Newcastle, and two Specialist Academies, Thomas Bewick School, in Newcastle, and Harry Watts Academy, in Sunderland, which both specialise in working with autistic children and young people.
The Trust will be opening a fifth Specialist Academy – Gilbert Ward Academy, in Blyth, in September 2023.
Chris joined Prosper Learning Trust in June 2020 as Executive Headteacher for Mary Astell Academy and Newcastle Bridges School, before taking on the Chief Executive Officer role on an interim basis this time last year.
Joanne Clifford-Swan, Chair of Trustees for Prosper Learning Trust, said:
“The Trustees are delighted to appoint Chris Richardson to the position of CEO of Prosper Learning Trust. Chris has a wealth of experience, not least having led the Trust in an acting capacity for the past 12 months. We look forward to working with him to continue the success of the Trust for the benefit of its pupils and their families.”
Chris Richardson, Chief Executive Officer and Joanne Clifford-Swan, Chair of Trustees for Prosper Learning Trust
New Ambitions
Chris brings a wealth of experience, having worked in education for 33 years, 23 of those in senior leadership roles, including 11 years as a Headteacher in a large mainstream secondary school.
Chris’ ambition to build upon the progress made in the last year and to further realise the Trust’s considerable potential, was at the core of his desire to continue the role permanently. Having put in place a new three-year strategic plan and made considerable progress against many of its aims, Chris is keen to secure that improvement and strive for even greater progress in the coming years.
Chris’ appointment will not only secure a period of continuity and stability in a dynamic and challenging educational landscape but it will also allow the Trust to realise its ambitions.
Outstanding Ofsted
Newcastle Bridges School received a continued ‘Outstanding’ inspection from school inspectors Ofsted recently. The inspectors reported on how pupils flourish and behave and achieve exceptionally well at Newcastle Bridges School, under an ambitious curriculum and understanding teaching staff across the multiple supportive sites.
Chris Richardson commented:
“It is an honour and a privilege to have been asked to continue my work as CEO on a permanent basis. Prosper Learning Trust is a leading advocate for vulnerable young people and their families across the North East of England. Our work is therefore crucially important, and our people are passionate, skilled and highly motivated. To lead such an organisation, and to work alongside such inspiring colleagues is a wonderful opportunity and to be able to play even a small part in helping to improve the lives of the young people we work with is a challenge we all relish. The Prosper Learning Trust values of aspiration, integrity, kindness and resilience are at the heart of everything we do, and I hope to repay the faith shown in me by embodying them every day in the work that my colleagues and I do.”
We have many events within our programme this year that support trusts or those entering trusts. Our White Paper Academisation Events in Newcastle (18 October) and Middlebrough (20 October) are now sold out but if you would like to join the waiting list you may do so by emailing events@schoolsnortheast.com
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