'Better never stops' is the mantra of the new headteacher who has taken over at Westwood Academy. 

Sarah Hatch has joined the Mitchell Avenue school - which is part of the Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust (KMAT) - after six years as the headteacher of a school in Surrey. 

Having worked in finance before starting her career as an IT and Business teacher, Sarah has also worked in schools in Cheshire and Manchester and says she is looking forward to making a real difference at Westwood.

"After six years in Surrey and getting that school to a really strong place, I decided it was time to have a change and join a new school and community where I feel I can continue to make a difference," she told Nub News. 

"My philosophy is that every child deserves the absolute best. 

"I will ensure the school continues to do everything it can for our students to achieve well and grow personally, which will stand them in good stead to live their very best lives.

"It is really exciting to be starting at Westwood - when you walk around you feel the positive ethos here."

Sarah said she wants to nurture the 'head and heart' of every child at Westwood (image via KMAT)

As well as spotting a school where she could make a difference, Sarah was also drawn to the fact Westwood is part of KMAT which also includes Kenilworth School.

She said having another local secondary school is hugely beneficial for the children and for the teaching team.

With KMAT's focus on inclusion, and its goal of "aspiring to excellence through quality, ambition and independence", Sarah's determination to make sure pupils continue to improve, is a natural fit.

"It is all about making sure the students leave fully equipped to live their best lives after school," she explained. 

"The mantra I have is 'better never stops' - no matter how brilliant we are, we always want to get better. 

"It fits in so well with the trust's goal of striving for excellence. 

"We say to the children, we aspire for excellence and there is always a way to get better. 

"We want to really nurture a thirst for learning."

Sarah's arrival at Westwood also coincides with an excellent set of exam results in the summer (image by James Smith)

Trust CEO Hayden Abbott added: "Sarah shares a passion for inclusion at the core of education which is central to our vision. Her success in enabling children to achieve their potential will really add value to Westwood and to the trust as a whole.

"Both schools will be able to contribute in very positive ways to the trust, and be able to learn from each other and develop equality, diversity and inclusion across the trust."

Sarah's arrival at Westwood also coincides with an excellent set of exam results in the summer. All areas saw a notable increase, with Maths at GCSE seeing the most progress with a 21.7 per cent improvement in pass grades nine to four, up to 80.4 per cent in 2024.

A Level results also continue to strengthen with many students gaining the top grades and the school's first student gaining a place to study medicine at a Russel Group university.

Students from The Westwood Academy Millie Revill, Daniella Olanrewaju (Head Girl) and Charlie Smith were all delighted with their GCSE results and outstanding contributions to Westwood in student leadership activities (image via KMAT)

The summer has also seen Westwood enjoy refurbishments, including repainting of corridors and classrooms.

Every classroom now also has an interactive screen, and Westwood is trialling a new scheme of having lessons translated on said screens for pupils for whom English is not their first language.

"I want to make sure every child in the school has the same opportunities as the next child in Westwood, and as the children across the trust," Sarah continued. 

"That really matters to me; I am determined every child will have the same opportunities. 

"Some may have better starting points, that's nobody's fault, but let's make sure everybody in this school, and in the trust, has the same chances.

"We want that playing field to be level."

Prospective parents can find out more about Westwood next month (image via KMAT)

The importance of inclusivity is shared by the trust, which was particularly taken with Sarah's experience of working with children with special educational needs.

"We are incredibly lucky to have Sarah as our Headteacher at The Westwood Academy and we are delighted she chose to join us," Malcolm Graham, chair of board of trustees explained.

"The wealth of experience and professionalism she brings is hugely impressive as are the results she has attained in previous schools and academies she has led. 

"Sarah also brings with her specific knowledge and expertise in SEND and general inclusion challenges." 

And for Sarah, education does not just stop with exam results - she wants to nurture the "head and heart" of every child at Westwood.

Sarah began her career in teaching as an ICT and Business teacher (image via KMAT)

"The priorities over the coming months will always be the children; everything we do has to benefit the child," she explained.

"We have areas of focus, and we will never take our eye off the quality of learning and the quality of our teaching staff. 

"We want to keep getting better - myself included. 

"And of course every minute counts in lessons. We have a very good pastoral system here already, but I want to ensure that inclusive practice is at the core of everything that we do and that we eliminate barriers for children who find learning a challenge."

Westwood is also running an open morning on October 12 from 10am to 12pm where prospective parents can come and look around.

To find out more about KMAT, follow this link to the website here.

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