Parkfield appoints new leadership team

Parkfield, Bournemouth’s only Free School, has appointed a new team of leaders to drive high standards in its primary school.

Charlotte Goodrum is the new Early Years and Foundation Stage (EYFS) phase leader. Cass Claxton is the new Key Stage 1 phase leader, and Toni Wilcox has been appointed Key Stage 2 phase leader. All are current form teachers at the school in Christchurch Road.

Phase leaders provide day-to-day leadership and management of teachers and support staff in their departments, as well as coordinating and leading development of the curriculum.

Ian Golding, interim head teacher of Parkfield, said, “Our new phase leaders will ensure consistency of approach in teaching and learning across Parkfield.

“These are key roles in developing the future success of the school and I am very pleased the positions have been filled from within and have gone to such enthusiastic, talented and well respected teachers.”

Toni Wilcox grew up in Ferndown and has been teaching Year 6 at Parkfield for two years, after previously teaching in Brazil and Dubai. She said, “I am incredibly excited about my new role and the new challenges it brings. The children at Parkfield never fail to amaze me with their positive approach to their learning, energy and inspiring ideas.

“I am passionate that we continue to challenge ourselves and share and learn from the expertise around us. I am very lucky to be working alongside and leading such a team of innovative and inspiring practitioners.”

Charlotte Goodrum grew up in Dorset and joined Parkfield when it opened in 2013 as a newly qualified teacher (NQT). She now teaches the school’s Buttercups Reception class. Her new role sees her heading up Parkfield’s Early Years sector, leading a team of six teachers and teaching assistants. She said, “It’s a challenging role, but one I relish.

“I will be working with my department to ensure our children enjoy a smooth transition into our Reception classes and go on to explore their full potential. I am also very much looking forward to working with our parents, carers and the community to develop a closer relationship between them and the school.”

Cass Claxton moved to Parkfield in 2016 from Manorside Academy in Poole. She is now responsible for a team of eight teachers across Year 1 and Year 2. She said, “I have taught in Year 1 and 2 for a number of years so I welcome the challenge to lead the Key Stage and ensure we raise pupil attainment as a team.”

She added, “Parkfield is a wonderful learning environment. The pupils come from a wide range of diverse cultures and we are lucky to have specialist teachers from our Secondary regularly coming into junior classes to teach their area of expertise. On top of that I love my class. They are funny and make me smile every day.”