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Bury St Edmunds County Upper School appoints Westley Middle School head Ben Jeffery to lead new lower school campus




A secondary school’s plans to create a new campus for its youngest students has led to the appointment of a new head of school.

Ben Jeffery will be leading the new County Upper School lower campus for Year 7 and 8 students, based at Westley Middle School in Bury St Edmunds where he is currently headteacher.

The decision to split the County Upper School site from September 2023 was a direct result of the public consultation into the reorganisation plans of four Bury St Edmunds schools, led by Unity Schools Partnership.

Ben Jeffery, new head of lower school at County Upper School. Picture: Gooderham PR
Ben Jeffery, new head of lower school at County Upper School. Picture: Gooderham PR

With Horringer Court and Westley middle schools due to close next year, Mr Jeffery said the new lower school campus would create a smooth transition with the existing County site at Beetons Way.

Mr Jeffery said: “We know this has been a challenging time for both staff, students and the whole community and we hope the creation of a lower school campus will make the transition as smooth as possible.

“I am excited by the fact that the lower school site will allow us to continue with all the best things about a middle school, including having its own specialist staff.

“We will also be working very closely with the staff at the main County Upper School site to offer the same high quality curriculum.”

Westley Middle School. Picture: Mecha Morton
Westley Middle School. Picture: Mecha Morton

Alongside working on the new lower school site, Mr Jeffery said he wanted to do everything possible to make sure the last year at Westley Middle School was as enjoyable and beneficial as possible for students.

He added: “I must praise staff at Westley and Horringer Court for ensuring they still offer the very best education to our students at both schools.”

Sally Kennedy, headteacher at County Upper School, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ben Jeffery as our new head of lower school.

“We are very excited about the opportunities presented by having the school across two sites and we know how highly-regarded Ben is within the local community.”

Sally Kennedy, headteacher at County Upper School. Picture: Mecha Morton
Sally Kennedy, headteacher at County Upper School. Picture: Mecha Morton

Parents of Year 5 and 6 students, currently at the two middle schools, will get a chance to hear about the new plans at an open evening on Wednesday June 22 at Westley Middle School.

Please call the school office on 01284 755144 to book your place.