There has been a spate of headteachers in recent years losing their jobs at short notice, often 'to pursue other interests', most recently to my knowledge was last year when the head of The Archbishop's School in Canterbury departed after overseeing the decline of this once popular and successful school. An Ofsted Report published today sets out the historic problems at Archbishop's.
Now, Kim Gunn, Principal of the 1350 pupil Strood Academy for some years, has also 'moved on to pursue other interests' - a common explanation of such decisions, according to a letter to sent to parents this week. This followed a short absence since half term. I suppose this could be because of disappointing GCSE results last summer, with Strood Academy eighth of the eleven Medway secondary schools, but doubt this, given the sudden nature of the departure. Strood is the Medway Hub school for the robust and acquisitive Leigh Academy Trust which last year took over Medway's struggling Williamson Trust.
One can speculate about the reasons for Ms Gunn leaving her post so suddenly, but Academy Trusts tend to be a law unto themselves with no requirement to follow normal employment rules for the teaching profession. I suspect we shall never know. Struggling schools such as Folkestone Academy, High Weald in Cranbrook and Copperfield Academy in Gravesham, all featured in these pages, have a rapid turnover of school leaders, frequently at short notice, and almost always without comment.
Strood Academy is currently being run by Dijana Piralic, Associate Principal at the school who was, until recently, Vice Principal at Leigh UTC in Dartford.
I will add to this article if and when I have further information.