The Headteacher at Aycliffe Village Primary School, Jed Gargan, is resigning on 31st August in protest at the Government’s education policy. He no longer wants to work in an education system in which he has no belief.
He wrote a letter to parents saying he thought the increasingly difficult SATS exams for both 7 and 11-year-olds placed “unrealistic expectations” which were “setting pupils up to fail.”
He also believes the Government, in forcing all schools to become academies – taking them out of council control, will not improve educational performance.
Jed, is highly respected at the school by staff, parents and pupils and on behalf of the Governors James Walsh writes:
“Although saddened by Jed’s resignation, the Governors at Aycliffe Village Primary School would like to thank him warmly for all his years of service. In the 9 years that Jed has been Headteacher at Aycliffe Village the school has seen an impressive growth of pupils entering the school, resulting in single form entry throughout and the building of new classrooms.
The children at Aycliffe Village are always at the heart of everything that Jed does and he has tirelessly worked to ensure that Early Years, Library and IT equipment enable children to learn and develop in a supportive, nurturing environment.
Jed’s loss will not only be felt within the school, but also in the wider County Durham community where he served as Chair of the Primary Heads association and also ran budget training sessions for the Council’s School and Governor Support Service. In what will seem like a long goodbye we look forward to working with Jed until the end of term and would always welcome him back as a friend of the school.”
IN PHOTO: Jed Gargan who will be writing a personal message for Newton News readers next week.
