“I’M here for the long term,” says Laura Halsall as she settles into her role as Winsford Academy’s new principal.
Staff, students and families at the Winsford Academy can expect ‘significant change’ under her leadership, but also a period of ‘long-term stability’, according to Ms Halsall, who took up her post a few weeks ago.
Ms Halsall worked in the travel and tourism industry before starting her teaching career in Chester and progressing via Bootle and Shropshire to a deputy headship at the Macclesfield Academy.
She was appointed to the Winsford role following a competitive interview process in June.
“I am thrilled to be taking up this post,” she said.
“All my career, I have believed that a school culture based on the principles of tough love, where an ambitious curriculum is skilfully taught, can change the lives of children and prepare them for adult life.
“That is why I wanted to become a headteacher and that is why I am so pleased to have the opportunity to put these ideas into practice as principal at Winsford.”
Ms Halsall said she recognised that this is not an easy time to begin being a principal.
“Schools all over the country are still feeling the effects of the pandemic and the lockdown,” she said.
“The last few years have seen big changes in what is expected of us in terms of our curriculum and the way we teach it.
“Many of our families will continue to be affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
“Our academy continues to grow rapidly and that brings its own challenges.
“We are living and working in a time of rapid change, and we will need to change the way we work just as rapidly to stay ahead of the game.
“Already though, two things are very clear to me.
“We have a fantastic staff team here at Winsford, and the Fallibroome Trust will be right behind us in the important work we are doing.”
Winsford Academy opened in 2010 and in those twelve years it has already had five different principals.
“Some staff and parents have already asked me how long I will be staying,” said Ms Halsall.
“I have been very clear that school leadership is a long-term business and requires a long-term commitment.
“I am here to stay so that, working with my colleagues, I can make a real difference to the lives of our children.
“I am a parent myself and what we do needs to be good enough for my own children.
“My commitment to the academy and the wider community is that I am here for as long as it takes.”
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