Senior leaders improve school after education was deemed 'inadequate'

Three new senior leaders have been appointed to accelerate improvements at a Sunderland school.

- by Katy Wheeler

Earlier this year, Venerable Bede Church of England Academy was deemed by Ofsted to be providing an inadequate quality of education to its pupils.

But inspectors have recognised the improvements which have taken place since the school was taken over by Northern Lights Learning Trust in 2023.

The trio of new leaders have experience in improving schools.

Head of school Tracey Burgess said: "We've appointed two new deputy heads and an assistant head, and although they've not been in post long, the improvements they've made so quickly are already benefitting our students."

Gemma Hawley joined Venerable Bede as a deputy head in April, while Emma McAnaney joined at the same time as an assistant head. Rachael Meek joined the team as a third deputy head in June.