Pupils, parents and staff at Dunsford Community Academy have welcomed a new Head of Academy, Mrs Guntrip. Mrs Guntrip joins the academy from another of the Trust’s local schools and has begun her time as Head extremely well, despite the added challenges which face schools this term.
As Head of Academy, Mrs Guntrip will be responsible for teaching and learning at the school, which is part of the Learning Academy Partnership, a Multi-Academy Trust which consists of nine primary schools and across the South West.
Her role will include the day-to-day running of the academy, as well as continuing to drive up the quality of education. She’ll also be helping to strengthen school connections, building relationships between families and staff as well as with the wider community in and around Dunsford.
Mrs Guntrip comes to the role with a wealth of experience, having been part of the Learning Academy Partnership for many years in both teaching and leadership roles. She joined the Trust early on in her teaching career, after being drawn to its principles of excellence and its vision for transforming the lives of the children at all the academies.
Mrs Guntrip has since worked as an Assistant Head at another Trust school, Ellacombe Church of England Academy, as well as playing a pivotal part in delivering professional development opportunities for teachers across the trust in recent years.
For the past four years, she has been part of the Learning Academy Partnership’s central leadership team as the Specialist Education Lead for Religious Education and Christian Distinctiveness. In this role she supported schools across the Trust to improve their Religious Education provision and consolidate a strong ethos throughout all academies.
A long history with the trust means that Corrine has already built strong relationships with many of the other academy leaders, and is well-known by students and their families, who have warmly welcomed her into the new position.
In her new role she will work closely with Mrs Stephens, who is Executive Head at the school and will be on hand to provide a second expert opinion. Mrs Guntrip will also collaborate with other Heads across the Learning Academy Partnership, sharing ideas and best practice with one another. She’ll be working alongside a strong leadership team at the school and the Trust, and has the support of the whole Dunsford Community Academy behind her.
Mrs Guntrip, Head of Academy at Dunsford Community Academy said:
“I’m honoured to have been appointed to the position of Head of Academy at Dunsford, a school I know and love, and to have been met by such enthusiasm and support. It really is a fantastic school and I know both students and staff are here to give 100%. Despite the unusual circumstances, I’m very much looking forward to an exciting year ahead.”
Mrs Atkinson, Chief Executive of Learning Academy Partnership, said:
“Dunsford is a wonderfully supportive community with amazing parents and Mrs Guntrip will build upon the success of the academy through our shared ambition to realise Dunsford Primary Academy as a beacon of excellence. She is joined by experienced Trust teachers who are also passionate about delivering the Trust Mission that all children may live life to the full. Our vision is to develop a values led family of exceptional schools that always put children first; where learners excel and communities are enriched so that the life chances of all children are improved. There really was no one better to take on this role than Mrs Guntrip.
“She has shown unparalleled commitment and expertise over the years and will drive forward the Learning Academy Partnership’s core values of Collectively, Empowering Excellence.
“Mrs Guntrip has hit the ground running over the past few weeks and is doing a fantastic job.”
