A DERBY head teacher hailed ‘an inspirational leader’ by his colleagues and praised for his dedication to helping children with special needs is to leave the city school where he has spent the last seven years.
Clive Lawrence, executive head at St Giles School, will take up a new role as Director of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) with East Midlands and East of England-based Greenwood Academies Trust later this year. He will be accountable for several special schools within the Trust alongside leading the SEND strategy including disadvantaged pupils across 37 academies.
The ex Merrill Academy pupil, who was recently presented with a purple plaque by the Office for National Statistics to mark the 2021 national census – for ‘dedication to the community of Derby’ – says that he is excited to take up the new role but will be sad to leave St Giles School.
Clive Lawrence – once the youngest head teachers in the UK – is to leave St Giles School in the summer
In a letter issued on the school’s social media page, Clive said: “I have had seven very happy years at St Giles School and am so immensely proud of the children and the staff and how much they have conquered despite the circumstances, particularly over the last 12 months as we have dealt with the challenges of a global pandemic,” said Clive, whose highlights include leading the school to ‘world class status’ and being rated an ‘outstanding’ school by Ofsted inspectors.
“St Giles is definitely like one big family. The positivity, kindness and support that we’ve all given each other during the pandemic has helped us all to get through these tough times. It is a school that is now well recognised locally, nationally and internationally for its exceptional reputation for high quality SEND provision.
“I would like to thank parents, carers and staff for backing my vision and ethos for the school and for their on-going support and encouragement throughout my time here. You have been amazing.”
“I will leave the school with a heavy heart but lots of happy memories, thanks to the wonderful staff, pupils and families who have passed through the doors over the years.”
Parent Anita Morrison, whose son Oliver attends St Giles, said: “Clive will be truly missed and whoever takes up the role of executive head teacher at St Giles has very big shoes to fill.”
And Tasha Allen, mum to TJ, added: “The school has improved so much since Clive became head teacher and he has put in so much time, hard work, love and dedication.”
READ MORE: St Giles School is officially ‘World Class’
Clive Lawrence – a former Merrill Academy pupil – was given a Census 2021 purple plaque for services to the community of Derby
Clive was instrumental in securing much-needed extra places for children with SEND in Derby city by working with external organisations to convert the hub-style building situated between Derbyshire County Cricket Club and the Racecourse – formerly a Viking museum and adult day care centre – into The Hive; which caters for appoximitely 30 children with special educational needs.
A joint report by Government inspectors Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission in 2019 found “significant weaknesses” in how Derby city was implementing the reforms to its special educational needs provision.
And so Clive, together with Derby City Council, school governors, the Trust and Parents & Carers Together; an independent, non-political group of volunteers, funded by the Department for Education which represents parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in the city, helped orchestrate the opening of this extra provision, which has a vast outdoor Forest School that has been made available for other schools in the area to use.
READ MORE: St Giles School pupils travel to Kenya to help children at local school
Clive Lawrence with former Derby County midfielder Bradley Johnson and the St Giles School PTFA at the opening of the Multi Use Games Arena in 2019
Councillor Evonne Williams, Derby City Council cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Clive has educated me and given me a better understanding of SEND and I’m grateful for that. I’d like to thank him for working with me to make the changes we so needed here in Derby and I wish him all the best for the future.”
The 35-year-old will leave St Giles in the summer and his replacement will be announced in due course.
Staff are busy planning a fitting tribute to Clive and deputy head teacher Laura Taylor said: “Clive has only ever wanted the best, world-class education for all of our pupils here at St Giles and, in doing so, has given that wider support to their families.
“He has been an inspirational leader who encourages those around him. Clive’s passion and enthusiasm, his energy and drive have helped him to achieve the vision for St Giles. All staff will miss him and there’s going to be such a gap to fill after he’s left the school.”
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