Turin Grove Moves Into Phase Two

Wednesday, 10th December, 2008

Colchester, UK. October 24th 2008 - The Governors at Turin Grove School reviewed the first year's contract between EdisonLearning and the school and found that EdisonLearning had fulfilled 88% (14 out of 16 components) of its targets this year.

EdisonLearning hit the target for GCSE exam results, which have increased during EdisonLearning's five terms and the value added score has also improved.Targets involving staff re-organisation, the school's amalgamation and refurbishment, reduced exclusions, general administration and leadership of the school have also been met.

The areas where the targets were not met were in relation to attendance, which dipped below 90% last year. A robust system and plan is in place for this to improve in the coming year, together with key stage 3 value added scores.

Trevor Averre-Beeson, Executive Headteacher, said he was pleased with the Governors' verdict and was looking forward to Turin Grove's continued success in the coming years.

Martin Cocks, Chair of Governors, also expressed his satisfaction at the direction of EdisonLearning's work and the transformed atmosphere of calm purposeful work in the school.

Trevor Averre-Beeson has now completed his spell at the school and Janet Lewis joins the EdisonLearning team as Headteacher for the second half of the contract. Janet is an experienced Headteacher and currently an Assistant Director in the Children's Service in Hammersmith and Fulham, and will bring formidable expertise to the role. Trevor Averre-Beeson will work on EdisonLearning's strategy for National Challenge schools, while continuing to be available in a consultancy role to the Turin Grove team.

"This was a fantastic opportunity for Trevor to extend the work of EdisonLearning nationally, setting up further contracts and implementing school transformation in other parts of London and the UK," said Mark Logan, Managing Director of EdisonLearning. "Trevor will lead on EdisonLearning's strategy for the National Challenge schools, building on the success of Turin Grove. Trevor and his team have overseen a challenging period of change and amalgamation, successfully completing the first five terms of the transformation plan. Janet will have the opportunity to build on the work already done."

"Trevor had been immensely influential in this first phase of the changes that the school has implemented since April 2007, and he leaves it with a firm foundation for continued progress," said Martin Cocks, Chair of Governors. "Whilst we accept EdisonLearning's decision to reorganise their team, governors are delighted that Trevor will still be available for consultancy within the school. We are pleased to welcome Janet Lewis to the school to build on the start Trevor has given us and take the school through the second half of the contract. Principal Leaders, Angela Gartland and Jessica Ward, are staying with us, and one of the benefits of working with EdisonLearning is that continuity is built-in regardless of any changes of personnel. The same team of advisers from EdisonLearning will be working with the school and the EdisonLearning Design for improvement will continue to be implemented."

The Local Authority will continue to work closely with the new Headteacher and EdisonLearning to ensure that the next phase of the school's development is successful.

"Turin Grove now has all the right elements for success," said Councillor Glynis Vince, Cabinet Member for Children's Services. "It is a smaller learning community, it has wonderful new buildings, and determined staff and students. Trevor has made a fine contribution establishing Turin Grove and I am confident that Janet Lewis will build on this in the years to come. This is a real partnership effort with the Governors, the Local Authority and EdisonLearning all working together for the good of the young people in Edmonton. I wish Trevor well as he moves on and I wish Janet every success in this new post."

Janet Lewis' 26 year career in education includes being Headteacher of Sandringham School, described by Ofsted as outstanding. "I am delighted to be joining the EdisonLearning Team at Turin Grove," said Janet Lewis. "The Local Authority and Governors have taken a forward thinking step working with EdisonLearning and I look forward to helping it become the school we will all be proud of."

In the five terms since Edison signed the contract:

• exam results have increased, with the five A-C GCSE score at 42%, rising from 11% in 2006

• exclusions have reduced from 200 to zero

• teaching quality has risen significantly to adequate, good or outstanding

• the Local Authority has invested £8.8m to refurbish the school and move it to one site

• the school has a new uniform and name

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