Education CEO of schools in Stowupland, Bacton and Mendlesham celebrates retirement
The CEO of an education trust has retired after celebrating a career spanning nearly 40 years.
Karen Grimes, CEO of the John Milton Academy Trust (JMAT), has said farewell to trustees, board members and colleagues and celebrated the Trust’s achievements since its launch in 2016.
She started her career in Leicestershire in 1984 before moving to Suffolk three years later to work at Copleston, St Albans and Holywells in Ipswich and finally moving to Stowupland, near Stowmarket, in 2005 where she was the headteacher for 12 years.
Karen said: “I believe there have been 21 Secretaries of State for Education during my career – that’s quite a number, but the flux and change has never mattered, because there has always been the Trust and our family of schools, providing stability and continuity.
“We have achieved so much since those early years. I have always been a strong supporter of the arts and that is reflected in the culture, ethos and curriculum of our schools.
“I have worked with some truly wonderful professionals over the years and it was important to me that my retirement celebrated their achievements and contributions as well.”
The John Milton Academy Trust includes Stowupland High School, the John Milton Sixth Form, Bacton, Mendlesham and Cedars Park primary schools as well as the Mulberry Centres which care for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Trust Board has appointed Shaun Common of the Gippeswyk Community Educational Trust as its interim CEO. Shaun will continue to oversee his own schools in Ipswich as well as the JMAT schools.
Karen added: “Shaun has been a valued colleague for a number of years and I know he is really looking forward to working with all our schools.
“My retirement was delayed due to Covid, but I am now looking forward to having the luxury of time and being able to focus far more on family and friends.”