Four States primaries announce a new head

Wednesday 29 March 2017

Four local candidates have been promoted to the top jobs at Grands Vaux, St Martin's, Samares and St Lawrence primary schools.

The Education Department announced the appointments yesterday, and said the successful candidates had all been working in the local system for some time, and been trained for the next move in their careers.

Pictured: Chief Education Officer Justin Donovan 

Chief Education Officer Justin Donovan said: “We had a strong field of candidates for these important positions in our primary schools and a rigorous selection process. The successful applicants have all been working in the Jersey education system for some time and have taken up the training opportunities on offer so that they can develop their careers.

He added: “I am delighted to say that the investment in training our staff has clearly paid dividends and, most importantly, this is good news for the children in our schools.” 

From the start of the new academic year in September the following staff will take over the leadership positions in these schools:

Samares Primary School:

• Mike McDermott, the current deputy head, will succeed Andrew Willis who is leaving Jersey at the end of the summer term to take up a headship in Shanghai.

Grands Vaux School:

• Maria McCool, who is deputy head at Janvrin School in St Helier, will become head teacher when Janice Hervieu retires after eight years in the post and a career in education that spans 38 years.

St Lawrence School:

• Amory Charlesworth will move from his current post as deputy head at St Mary’s School to fill the vacancy created when the current St Lawrence head teacher, Chris Jones, retires after 37 years in teaching. Mr Jones has been the head at St Lawrence for the past 10 years.

The fourth appointment will be effective immediately because the successful candidate is already working in the school concerned.

St Martin’s School:

• Jenny Pryke is formally confirmed in the role of head teacher after being acting head for the past 17 months. Miss Pryke had been at St Martin’s for seven years and was previously the deputy head teacher. She fills the position left by the retirement of previous head Sarah Briggs. 

Speaking of the new appointments, Education Minister Deputy Rod Bryans said: “I would like to congratulate the successful candidates and wish them well in their new positions. It will be an exciting time for all four schools and I look forward to working with them as head teachers.”

Pictured: Education Minister Deputy Rod Bryans 

He added: “I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks for the four outgoing head teachers for their years of hard work, dedication and commitment to so many of our children. I have no doubt they will be remembered with great warmth by many students and parents alike.”