Our Head of School

“ Thomas Gamuel is the heart of our local community - we are one big family. The key to our continued success is developing lasting and purposeful relations with our families. We work together to ensure our children benefit from the best school experience, reaching their personal and academic goals.”

Paul Acheson

 

  • PGCE  - Liverpool Hope University  (2013)
  • B.A. Spanish & Portuguese - Queen’s University of  Belfast - 2:1 (2007)
  • Teacher from 2013 - 2015
  • Assistant Headteacher 2015-2016
  • Deputy Headteacher - 2016-2020
  • Head of school - 2020 - 

Since joining the Lion Academy Trust, I have continued to develop both personally and professionally as a teacher and subject leader.  Having previously taught in a number of schools in Madrid, Liverpool and London, I have enjoyed working with children in all Key Stages within a multicultural urban setting including those with a high proportion of EAL.

Having worked in Australia, Spain, New Zealand and now in Waltham Forest, across a range of roles,  my teaching career has spanned being a newly qualified teacher all the way through to being Head of School - which has given me a wonderful insight into how teaching and learning needs to be delivered to not only meet the needs of every pupil, but also professionally and how best to work with teams to deliver amazing outcomes.

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What does leading a primary school mean to you?


Being a school leader means making a difference. Children have one shot at education and it is up to us to ensure that this is maximised at all opportunities. It means ensuring they achieve academically. It means nurturing children as they grow into young people. It means giving them the best  opportunities to explore the world and aspire to achieve throughout their lives.

 

What is the one thing about Thomas Gamuel Primary you wish more people could see or experience?


I wish more people could see the great things we do every day! Ensuring our children enjoy their learning is our DNA. I wish people could walk around the school and watch the children engaged in their learning, those lightbulb moments where children’s faces light up. To see their smiles beam from a sense of self pride and achievement.

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What are you the most proud of achieving in your tenure as Head of School at Thomas Gamuel Primary School?

I am proud of the children and I am proud of the staff. This past year has challenged us all and it has been amazing to see how we have all adapted and shown great resilience. 

I am proud of how the children have bounced back and engaged with their learning - they really appreciate being back in school with their teachers and friends learning together. 

I am very proud of the staff in their flexibility and determination that all children succeed in school and have fun in school. Their drive to ensure the best outcomes for children is unfaltering.

  “Transforming education transforms lives. We give our children a first class education which we know will open the door of opportunity  throughout their lives''.

- Paul Acheson

   

Senior leaders and governors have ensured that additional funding for disadvantaged pupils has been spent effectively. As a result, they make good progress from their various starting points

Ofsted report, October 2016