The departing Principal of Highlands College is to take on an Island-wide leadership role overseeing collaboration across Jersey’s secondary schools as part of a major shake-up of the education system.
Jo Terry-Marchant, who is stepping down next month after more than two decades leading Highlands and brings 35 years’ experience in education across Jersey and London, has been appointed Partnership Lead for Secondary schools as part of the new Jersey Schools Partnership pilot.
In the role, she will work with school leaders across the island to strengthen collaboration between primary and secondary education, support curriculum delivery across Key Stages 3 to 5, and improve pathways for all learners, including those with additional needs.
Her appointment completes the recruitment of four Partnership Leads, who will head the new school partnerships from September following a recruitment process overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission.
The two-year pilot, announced in March, will see Jersey’s non-fee-paying schools grouped into four partnerships based on existing secondary school catchment areas and their feeder primary schools.
Partnerships cover the East and West sides of the island, and an additional two groups for town.
“I am delighted to take on the role of Partnership Lead for secondary schools,” Mrs Terry-Marchant said. “Collaboration is essential to improving outcomes for all young people, and I am committed to working closely with colleagues to ensure every student can access the opportunities they need to thrive, whatever their starting point.
“I am particularly looking forward to working with secondary headteachers who I have built strong partnerships with over the years and who are highly respected, dedicated, and experienced leaders.
“Together, we will continue to strengthen collaboration across our schools and build on this collective expertise to secure the very best outcomes for our pupils.”
Lance Chatfield is set to take over as Highlands College Principal in September.
Other partnership leads
Roles appointed in May include Jo Pearce, who will be the lead for Primary in town. She is currently a Senior Adviser for the Government of Jersey, previously spending multiple years as a headteacher in the UK.
John Baudains is Partnership Lead for Primary East, who taught at Mont Nicolle School and later Grouville School, teaching right across the primary age range. Mr Baudains became a headteacher in 2012 and has led multiple schools since, initially Mont Nicolle School, then La Moye School.
Vicki Charlesworth, appointed Partnership Lead for Primary West, has been headteacher of Les Landes School for 13 years, and was leading headteacher across St Peter and Les Landes Schools between 2020 to 2022. Previously, she was deputy headteacher at St Luke’s School and d’Auvergne School, and as a teacher at Mont Nicolle School.
The government said the changes will not result in any additional costs to the Education Department and would be funded through a reorganisation of existing roles.
Officials claimed that evidence from “other jurisdictions” showed that school partnerships strengthen professional development, ultimately leading to better outcomes for children.
These changes also aim to directly address the recent critical SEND review, which found the need for more consistent leadership and strategy.
