The Trust is delighted to announce that, following a competitive recruitment process, Mr Rob Farrell has been appointed as the new Headteacher for Kilburn Grange School. Read the full announcement here.
Mr Farrell joins us with over 20 years’ experience in the education sector, most recently as Headteacher at Oliver House School, an independent school in Clapham. He has enjoyed an interesting and varied career so far, working across both the state and independent sectors, at primary and secondary level.
Mr Farrell will join Kilburn Grange School on 1 September 2020, although we will of try to arrange a visit before that to learn more about the school and to talk to staff and pupils. We will also arrange a meeting as soon as we are able, where parents and staff will have the opportunity to meet Rob and hear his ideas and aspirations for Kilburn Grange School in person.
In the meantime, we took the opportunity to ask Rob some questions so the school community could get to know a little about him …
Q: What motivated you to become a teacher?
A: My older sister was the first teacher in our family so there was certainly some inspiration there. Like many teenagers I did consider a number of possible careers while studying for my A-Levels, but teaching was the only one that truly inspired and excited me. The opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of young people makes teaching an incredibly rewarding profession. I have enjoyed a varied and interesting career working with children of all ages and I feel very privileged to have been able to do something that I love for all of these years.
Q: Looking back to your time as a Head teacher, what are some of the things you are proudest of?
A: I am proud of the many areas of progress that the school made in my time as headteacher. This progress that was only possible through a positive atmosphere of collaboration, purpose and shared vision amongst stakeholders. Looking back, most importantly, I am proud of the many achievements of all of the children.
It is incredibly important to me that I know each child well and I enjoyed visiting classrooms regularly to hear about their daily accomplishments. These opportunities to share in a child’s success and celebrate their good news are what makes the role of a headteacher such a special one.
Q: Tell us one fact about yourself that we would not find on your CV …
A: I love playing and watching a range of sports and coach my son’s football team on a Saturday morning. He’s a goalkeeper, a position I played at school.
Q: What attracted you to the role at Kilburn Grange and what is your vision for taking the school forward?
A: I am delighted to be joining Kilburn Grange at such an exciting point in the school’s development. With the first Year 5 class due to start in September, it is a wonderful opportunity to help shape a successful future for the school and build on the good work that has taken place since Kilburn Grange opened in 2015.
I am really looking forward to working with a dedicated and talented staff team, taking the school onwards on its journey to becoming an outstanding school that is an important part of the local community. The BPET vision for children in its schools is one that I share. It is a vision of schools as places where children are happy, love learning and are surrounded by exciting opportunities that enrich their educational experience.
I can’t wait to get started and begin working with the wonderful children in Kilburn Grange. I will be doing all that I can to ensure that their experience of primary school is one that they will look back on with great fondness. My aim is to ensure that all of our children reach their potential and feel good about themselves. I want them to look ahead to the future with excitement, confident in their many talents and keen to contribute to society in a positive way.