Springwell school in Spalding to have new head next term

A Spalding school for children outside of mainstream education is to welcome a new head in January.

Pupils and staff at Springwell Alternative Academy, part of Wellspring Academy Trust, have said "Goodbye" to executive principal Phil Willott who helped launch the school in April 2019.

Mr Willott, who said he was "moving on to a new venture", will be replaced at the Matmore Gate school in January by Lisa Ashcroft-Day, head of Springwell's site in Lincoln.

In a statement, Mr Willott said: "I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the community of Spalding for making myself, the staff and, most importantly, the young people of Springwell so welcome.

"This has been a very challenging year for everyone, but one positive highlight was the opening of our new school in January and seeing the faces of young people entering for the first time, a moment I will certainly remember forever..

"In the new year, I will be moving on to a new venture and my colleague Lisa Ashcroft-Day will be taking the executive lead of all four Springwell academies across the region.

Springwell ready for pupils to start on January 9, 2020

"It has been an absolute privilege and honour to be the executive principal at Spalding and I have loved every minute of it.

" I would like to give special thanks to all the staff, young people and their families, and Wellspring Academy Trust, for without their support, none of this would have been possible."