The new headteacher at a Derby primary school says he is looking forward to building on the good foundations laid by his predecessor after landing his “dream job”.
Jason Pass started his new role as head of The Bemrose Primary Phase last month, replacing Kate Beecroft. She has joined Beaufort Primary School as their headteacher, after nine years at The Bemrose Primary Phase.
Mr Pass says that he thought his previous role at The Bemrose Primary Phase, being an Assistant Headteacher, was his “dream job” – but that being the headteacher of a school recently praised for its ‘broad and ambitious curriculum’ by Ofsted is even better.
“I first joined The Bemrose Primary Phase in 2016 as maternity cover for Kate Beecroft,” said Mr Pass, whose first headship was at Portway Junior School, in Allestree.
“When Kate returned, I was offered what I thought was my ‘dream job’ – a role that combined both teaching and leadership – Assistant Head of The Bemrose Primary Phase.
“I was head of the school for a second time for a year through the Covid pandemic and, after Kate left to join Beaufort Primary School, I was appointed interim headteacher.
“I applied for the permanent post and was successful at interview. I appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given and am proud to be the permanent head of the Primary phase.
“Kate has done a fantastic job in building a really solid platform on which to move forwards, and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Less than a week into his new role as headteacher, Ofsted inspectors visited The Bemrose School for a routine review. The Bemrose School was judged to be Good overall and received Good judgements for Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development.
The school was praised for positive behaviour and attitudes to learning and for having ‘strong relationships’ with students and providing ‘opportunities to develop pupils’ cultural capital’ and Mr Pass says he is proud of the progress made by the children.
“We pride ourselves on the fact that the progress that children make here is very good.”
“We have an engaging curriculum with lots of enrichment opportunities, and our ethos is about doing your best and always looking to improve.
“The Bemrose School is vibrant and inclusive; we have children here from all over the world and, when they join the school, they’re made to feel very welcome by staff and pupils here.
“I’m lucky to have a fantastic and supportive team around me.”
Mr Pass, who has also worked at schools in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire, highlights the school’s links with external organisations as one of its strengths, and an area in which he’s hoping to strengthen further.
He said: “We work with lots of organisations such as Derby Music Partnership, Derby County Community Trust and DEDA. It’s important to me that we build positive relationships with these organisations and continue to look for further opportunities.
Mr Pass – who has an English degree and a keen interest, too, in science, sport and history – would like his legacy to be a further improvement in the school academic outcomes.
He said: “The progress pupils make at Bemrose is strong. Over the next few years, I truly believe that we can further improve reading, writing and mathematics in school so that attainment is in line with National averages – we are not far away from this.
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