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The new head of our school is having to make the transition into the role in the virtual world.

Headteacher Michael Clark leaves his post at Roydon Primary Academy this summer to relocate to Dubai.

Until then, he is working closely with Anna Myatt who will take over as head of school in September.

Mrs Myatt has held several positions within BMAT schools since joining Burnt Mill Academy as a newly qualified teacher in 2002.

She has since held posts as head of geography, head of humanities and assistant head at Burnt Mill, before moving to Forest Hall School, in Stansted, as SENCo, associate head and head of school.

Since January, she has been making the transition into primary education as the Trust’s primary associate head.

She said: “I am really excited for this opportunity. I had already met the team and children before the shutdown. So, when the job came up, I was really excited to have the opportunity to take over the leadership of a school with such a good reputation in the community. Roydon Primary is the right school for me; it is such a positive place to be. The second you walk in the building, you see the reception ladies smiling and that then features throughout the whole school. Mr Clark has the school in a really good place to hand over.

“The children are so enthusiastic and have a thrill for learning that secondary school children do not have in the same way. Before the schools closed, I had been teaching children in Year 2 to 6; being on the floor teaching phonics to children is quite different to teaching Year 11 boys who are bigger than me!

“I am very privileged to have had lots of different roles within BMAT. This experience has given me a comprehensive overview of the journey of a pupil, through their primary and secondary education. I can now bring all of that experience into Roydon Primary.”

Mrs Myatt has already drawn up her vision for Roydon: “Roydon Primary Academy: A place where we smile.”

• Success
• Mutual respect
• Inclusion
• Learning
• Experience

While the plan was to transition into the new job now with time spent at Roydon, the Coronavirus lockdown has meant that work is having to go on virtually.

Mrs Myatt said: “Some of that work is going to have to wait until September, if the lockdown continues. But, Mr Clark has been very good, liaising with me over video link.

“Having a son in Year 6 and a daughter in Year 4 has helped me to experience the pleasures and challenges we as parents encounter. I am aware how change can affect the way pupils feel about school.

“Our focus has to be on transition for our new Reception children and putting in place a recovery plan for our children who will have missed a whole term of teaching.”

Mrs Myatt is working closely with Mr Clark and colleagues on a bespoke and adapted curriculum, to address the impact Covid-19 has had on learning. This will enable pupils to catch up in the first term of the new academic year.