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To start the new 2021-2022 academic year, Maricourt Catholic High School has made two assistant headteacher appointments, Danielle Lawler and David Friend who are most definitely going to be a great addition to the senior leadership team.

Danielle Lawler will have responsibility for personal development, wellbeing, and Year 7 and 8 pastoral support. Being based in the Arnold Campus will add to the fantastic progress leader team. Mr Marsh who specialises in Year 7 transition will be supported by the newly appointed assistant progress leader Mrs Sloan.

Year 8 will also benefit from the newly appointed progress leader Miss Burke and assistant progress leader Mr Merrity. The experience, skills and personal qualities amongst the team will give the pupils a fantastic support network to succeed.

Pastoral care and wellbeing is at the core of what Maricourt do and is at the centre of the school mission. Its strong Catholic ethos ensures that they are student centred and nurture and care for all pupils, to not only develop them academically but also develop the whole person.

Danielle Lawler said: “Being the careers leader for 12 years I have centred my career around personal development, aspirations and positive mindset. To have been appointed in the strategic role of mental health lead and personal development will give me the opportunity to ensure that at Maricourt, the whole person is developed.

“Being based in the Arnold Campus overseeing KS3 behaviour and pastoral care will give me the opportunity to continue the great work that our partner primary schools have put in. There is no doubt that our primaries lay the foundations for achievement, community values, morals and respect and therefore it is our duty that we continue with such high expectations.”

David Friend has been appointed as the teaching and learning leader for KS3. He will continue to ensure that the curriculum is challenging, inclusive and that teaching is first class.

David said: “I will demand ambitious standards for all pupils, overcoming disadvantage and advancing equality, instilling a strong sense of aspiration, resilience and achievement.

“I aim to secure excellent teaching through an analytical understanding of how pupils learn and of the core features of successful classroom practice and curriculum design, leading to rich curriculum opportunities and pupils’ wellbeing.”

These appointments continue to add to the most recent appointments including a new curriculum leader for computing and ICT and modern foreign languages. These roles complement the appointment of new curriculum leaders in 2019 for science and English. This is an exciting time for Maricourt, with a great future ahead!