Brilliant School Leader joins Waltham Holy Cross Primary Academy as Executive Headteacher

A BRILLIANT school leader has been appointed as the new executive headteacher of Waltham Holy Cross Primary Academy.
James Hollinsley, currently headteacher of the highly rated Longwood Primary Academy, part of NET Academies Trust, will continue to lead that school as well as Waltham Holy Cross, which is also run by NET.

He will divide his time between the two schools, and be supported at Waltham Holy Cross by deputy headteacher Jocelyn Hurry and by Elizabeth Bradshaw, who is returning to the school to add capacity to the leadership team for next term. Sarah Clarke, who joined the Longwood leadership team last term as associate headteacher, will support Mr Hollinsley at that school. Mr Hollinsley will take over at Waltham Holy Cross from James Kenyon, who has decided to step down for personal reasons.

Mr Hollinsley has 20 years’ experience in teaching and leadership in both mainstream primary and special secondary sectors. He is a qualified special education needs co-ordinator and holds an MA in Specific Learning Difficulties and Special Educational Needs. He was previously lead professional for SEND in a London borough, an Ofsted inspector for six years and is also a school governor. He is currently an LLE (Local Leader of Education).

Under his leadership, Longwood Primary Academy – graded by Ofsted as Good with Outstanding leadership and management, along with Outstanding personal development, behaviour and welfare – has been awarded ‘Outstanding Contribution to Emotional Health and Wellbeing’ for two consecutive years by Healthy Schools and was one of the first schools in the country to receive gold status for mental health. It was the Times Educational Supplement (TES) 2018 Employer of the Year and in November 2019, Longwood was announced winner of the Happiest Primary School in the National Happiness Awards with Laughology.

Jo Coton, Chief Executive Officer of NET Academies Trust, said: “James Hollinsley is a brilliant school leader. Waltham Holy Cross Primary Academy has already made huge strides forward since it joined us, which is thanks to the superb staff and the excellent partnership with parents and pupils. I would like to take this opportunity to thank James Kenyon for his hard work at Waltham Holy Cross.

“I have every confidence that James Hollinsley, working with the whole school community, will continue that positive trajectory.

“He has done a fantastic job at Longwood and he and Sarah Clarke will maintain the momentum there as well.”
James Hollinsley said:

“I am really excited by this new challenge. I have loved every minute at Longwood and I am delighted I will continue to play a part in that school’s future, while also having the opportunity to take forward and build on the improvements we are already seeing at Waltham Holy Cross.”