Stoke High School in Ipswich to welcome new principal next year

Stoke High School in Ipswich is set to welcome a new principal early next year.

Karen Baldwin, who has worked as the school's vice principal for four years, is set to take over from January 2023.

A veteran teacher, she was assistant principal and then acting vice principal at Colne Community College in Colchester before her tenure at Stoke.

Before that, she taught English in Braintree, Essex.

A spokesperson for the school said she was instrumental in the upward trajectory of the school in recent years, which recently received a 'good' rating from Ofsted.

Miss Baldwin said: "I am delighted to be taking on the role of Principal at the Stoke High School.

"During my time as Vice Principal, I have had the honour or working closely with students, staff, families and the wider community, and I know what an exceptional school we are.

"I look forward to leading the academy on the next stage of its improvement journey whilst ensuring that every student continues to flourish and reach their full potential.”

Over the past three years, the school, which is located on Maidenhall Approach, as been 'revolutionised'.

Ofsted inspectors said the school trust made sweeping improvements to the school's curriculum and culture in its latest report.

It was previously graded as 'requires improvement' in a 2018 report.

Aron Whiles, the education director at Ormiston Academies Trust said Miss Baldwin was recruited following a robust and extensive recruitment process.

He added: "Miss Baldwin is an integral member of our Stoke High School community, and we are confident she has the expert skills and drive needed to continue building on the strong foundations already in place at the academy."