Retirement announced for Spalding, Bourne, Donington and Boston area school leader

A senior education leader described as the ‘driving force’ behind the success of a number of schools has announced she will be retiring.

Lucy Conley is to step down as chief executive of the South Lincolnshire Academies Trust, which includes Bourne Academy and Spalding Academy, in December.

Under her leadership, the trust has grown to include four schools - Donington’s Cowley Academy and Old Leake’s Giles Academy - along with increasing in reputation thanks to its ‘Aspire, Challenge, Achieve’ ethos.

Bourne Academy head Jemma Curson, who had previously led Spalding Academy, will be taking over the mantle as trust chief executive.

Mrs Conley said her decision to retire has been a difficult but knows she will be leaving the schools in good hands.

She said: "I feel privileged to have enjoyed an amazing career in education over the past 35 years and I have loved every single minute of every day. In this time, I've seen thousands of students and staff flourish, which fills me with immense pride and it has been the most rewarding job imaginable.

“The success stories of others will always be the legacy I am most proud of, in being able to help shape a better future for everyone. Each of the schools in the trust are in their best ever position, with all of them being high performing and now over-subscribed due to our strong reputation for high quality education and outstanding pastoral care.

“The success of the trust can be attributed to amazing young people, that I feel hugely proud of and to the wider team of experienced leaders, teachers and support staff who are truly exceptional. It is down to knowing how incredible Mrs Curson and the staff in the trust are, that I can be 100% positive about the future of the schools.

“My decision to retire has been an extremely difficult one and although I will miss immensely being immersed in the demanding role of leading the trust, I am fortunate that retirement will provide me with opportunities to make the most of family life and charitable work outside of education."

A big achievement for Mrs Conley’s leadership is the turnaround of Spalding Academy, which was rated as ‘good by Ofsted inspectors in 2019 after previously being dogged by years of disappointing reports.

Similar success is hoped for at Donington’s Cowley Academy, previously the Thomas Cowley High School, which was taken over by the trust in 2022 after being rated as ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted following a damning inspection.

Tribute has been paid to Mrs Conley by chairman of the board, Will Hawkins.

He said "Ever since South Lincolnshire Academies Trust was formed in 2016, Mrs Conley has been a driving force to ensure that young people in South Lincolnshire have the best possible education.

“Across the trust, we have exceptional leaders and I am delighted that Mrs Curson will be our new chief executive from January 2026 and continue the outstanding contribution Mrs Conley has made in ensuring all the schools in our trust has a successful future."

James Hind will take over as the head of Bourne Academy in September 2025.