'A new chapter' for Cherry Orchard School as head Karen takes helm

September 07 2020
'A new chapter' for Cherry Orchard School as head Karen takes helm

The new headteacher of Cherry Orchard Primary School is looking forward to taking up the post at the beginning of the new school year.

Karen Banford brings 25 years’ experience of teaching to the role.

She has been appointed following the taking over of the school by the Rivers CofE Academy Trust after it was put into special measures following a critical Ofsted report earlier this year.

Mrs Banford, an executive headteacher with the trust, moves to Cherry Orchard Primary School from the headship of Great Witley Primary School, another trust school.

She will also continue as executive headteacher of North Worcester Primary School, which was set up last year.

Mrs Banford began her teaching career in Staffordshire and has worked in church schools for 24 years.

She said: “I always wanted to be a teacher. I will still say it’s the best job in the world.”

She has visited Tanzania, worked with teachers in other countries and did a teaching practice in America.

Preparing for her latest position at Cherry Orchard, Mrs Banford said: “I have been in most of the summer, meeting staff and having meetings, getting to know the community.”

She had also had email communications with parents.

She said: “I think parents have a strong relationship with the school. I’m aware of how much trust there is in a stable and supportive staff.”

Going forward, she said: “They know whatever we need to put into place will be for the right reasons.”

She added: “I always look forward to a challenge. I’m somebody with a very strong work ethic.”

Mrs Banford described the staff at Cherry Orchard as “a very honest and open team” who would be open to improvements that needed to be made in the wake of the Ofsted report.

She said that, coupled with the problems posed by the coronavirus crisis, meant September would mark “a new chapter” for the school.

The school was following all the relevant Government guidance and protocols to ensure pupils’ and staff safety as they returned for the new term.

Mrs Banford empathised with parents who had to manage their lives while juggling their parental responsibilities during lockdown, saying: “I was in the same position, with two children at home while supporting staff in two different schools.

“I’m aware of how tricky it can be.”

She added: “It will take a couple of weeks of assessing and seeing what the children’s needs might be.

“Once we’re back into the normal routine then we can make real positive steps forward for our renewed and refreshed curriculum.”

She went on: “We talk about the academy trust as a family and Cherry Orchard will be welcomed in from September 1.”

Her family are keen on rugby and follow Worcester Warriors.

She has recently taken up running and is pleased she can now complete five kilometres.

Looking ahead to her new role at Cherry Orchard she said: “I do tend to be somebody who likes to make a relationship with the community.”