New principal for Peterborough special school

Laura Ives will be the new principal at Medeshamstede Academy (formally known as City of Peterborough Academy Special School) from September 2020.

Ms Ives has been at the Academy, sponsored by Greenwood Academies Trust, since 2014 when she joined as Deputy Principal and SENCo before assuming the position of Head of School in 2017. Ms Ives has worked closely alongside the current Executive Principal, Tracey Ydlibi, to relaunch the school as Medeshamstede Academy, as it is now known, and drive improvements which have been praised by Ofsted with two consecutive ‘Good’ inspections.

Ms Ydlibi will be resuming her full-time role as Executive Principal at Nethergate Academy in Nottingham, which is also part of the Trust.

During her time at the Academy, Ms Ives has demonstrated a passion and commitment to creating an inclusive and positive learning environment and will work alongside the strong team of staff, the Advisory Council and Greenwood Academies Trust to maintain the Academy’s high standards, while continuing to drive further improvements and ensure pupils receive the very best education possible.

Ms Ives, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Ms Ydlibi over the past three years and develop our shared purpose of empowering all children and young people to access, participate and contribute to their community.

“It is a great privilege to lead and take the Academy forward on its mission; serving the amazing pupils, parents and staff of our unique community, of which I am enormously proud.”

Wayne Norrie, CEO of Greenwood Academies Trust, said: “Ms Ydlibi has done a superb job as Executive Principal of Medeshamstede Academy and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her incredibly hard work and wish her well as she returns to her role as Executive Principal of Nethergate Academy in Nottingham full-time.

“Ms Ives has worked closely with Ms Ydlibi to drive the school’s improvement, as recognised by Ofsted, and I am confident that under her excellent leadership, Medeshamstede Academy will continue its positive trajectory and ensure that pupils are provided with every opportunity to fulfil their potential.”