Two-school headteacher appointed amid reshuffle

Thursday 04 November 2021

The headteacher of Trinity School will also take the leading role St. Martin’s Primary School from the New Year as part of a reshuffle of primary school principals.

Katy McMahon (pictured top, second from left), who has held the top role at Trinity for five years, will be taking over from St. Martin’s Jenny Posner and take the title of ‘Leading Headteacher’.

Mrs Posner (pictured top, third from left), who has been at St. Martin’s for 11 years, will in turn be taking over at Samarès from Mike McDermott, who is retiring after Christmas.

Meanwhile, Deputy Heads Karen Cooper from St. Martin (pictured top, first on left) and Trinity’s Chris Godden (pictured top, right) will be stepping into the role of ‘Head of School’.

The Government began trialling the concept of a ‘Leading Headteacher’ last year, when it appointed John Baudains to run Bel Royal and La Moye, and Vicki Charlesworth to run Les Landes and St. Peter’s.

Education officials denied that the idea was a cost-cutting measure when asked by Express at the time.

Pictured: Two existing 'Leading Headteachers', John Baudains and Vicki Charlesworth.

On the recent two-school headteacher appointment, Group Director of Education Sean O’Regan said it made sense because Trinity and St. Martin’s “already share a curriculum model, frequently have shared training and have mentoring experience across the two schools.”

He added that he felt the arrangement would “provide the best possible support to the children of both St. Martin and Trinity Schools.”

Speaking about Mrs Posner's appointment, Mr O'Regan added: “Mrs Posner was the unanimous choice of the recruitment panel. I am confident that she will bring the dedication and commitment she has ably demonstrated as headteacher of another high-performing Jersey primary school to ensure that Samarès School continues to go from strength to strength.”

Congratulating Mrs Posner on her new position, Education Minister Deputy Scott Wickenden added: “I know the whole school community at Samarès will give her their support.

“I would also like to thank Mike McDermott for his years of hard work, dedication and commitment to our children and wish him well in his retirement.’’