Dear Parents, Carers and future students of Cleeve Park,

I would like to introduce myself as the  Executive Headteacher of Cleeve Park School.  School open events have been very different due to the Covid 19 pandemic so it is great to invite you back into our school. I feel incredibly privileged to be leading both Cleeve Park School and Cleeve Meadow School.  There are many good schools in the local area and it is important that as parents you make the right decision for your child. I happen to think that Cleeve Park is the best place!

My vision for education is based around my experience as a Headteacher but also as a parent.  I have always worked in schools that I would send my own children to.  I am confident that Cleeve Park offers the balance of academic and pastoral care that I would want my own children to experience.  You want the very best for your child and at Cleeve Park we do too.  

I make no apologies for high standards in every aspect of school life.  I expect students and staff to be smart, well mannered and respectful of each other.  As in adult life, we have clear rules with consequences for those that do not follow them.  All children make mistakes - that is part of growing up - however it is important that children learn from those mistakes and grow as a result.  To do this there must be a strong partnership between parents and school.  We must support each other to guide and educate the adults of tomorrow.  You are giving us the privilege of educating your child and I hope you will support us in doing this.

It is important that children are happy and secure in their learning. Education is a long journey. I see it as our role to guide young people through that journey - avoiding the potholes, planning the route for the future and knowing when it is time to speed up or slow down. Even in normal times, it is difficult to compare schools based on data alone.  Cleeve Park, as part of The Kemnal Academies Trust has all of the individuality of a local school with the support of a much larger, geographically wider organisation.  This allows us to really understand the local community but also access support, development and networking of an educational organisation with children at its heart.

Transition from primary to secondary school is always a daunting time for students and parents.  As you will have seen from the video from Mr Moloney at Cleeve Park we make sure that transition is not rushed or tokenistic.  We really get to know young people before they arrive so that movement into the secondary phase is as smooth as possible.

I look forward to welcoming you to joining our community at Cleeve Park in the next exciting phase of your child's education.

Yours sincerely

Alex O’Donnell

Executive Headteacher

Click here to watch an information video from Mr Moloney, Head of Transition