Village headteacher makes instant impact

Luke Fletcher’s work has been highlighted in an inspection report for Boynton Primary School.

He said: “I came in in September and one of my priorities was to maintain the ‘good’ rating. We changed a few 
processes but got the result we wanted.

“I was nervous, because it was my first time being the man at the top, but I am thrilled. I’m also thrilled for the school to get the recognition and boost its place in the community.

“At the end of the report, it just says the next steps are to keep doing what we are doing which is unheard of from Ofsted.

“I want the school to be outstanding in terms of giving the kids the best chance in life. I want them to be challenged and nurtured- learning well but happy at the same time.

“This was a really big team effort. Even though we were nervous on the day of the inspection, the inspector said he had never been to a school where he had seen all the staff laughing and happy and relaxed.”

In his report, Ofsted inspector Alan Chaffey said: “You have brought clear vision and direction since becoming the executive headteacher in September 2017.

“You provide strong leadership in a way that secures the full support of everybody at the school.

“In just a short period of time, you have created an ethos in the school based on high expectations, mutual support and shared responsibility.

“There is a positive feel around the school and staff morale is high.”

Mr Fletcher had previously been deputy head at Skipsea Primary and one of his first changes at Boynton was to bring in a new school motto ‘from little acorns, mighty oaks grow’.

Further bigger changes are planned in the coming months. A new early years and Key Stage One teacher will start work in September but the school could soon be expanding.

Mr Fletcher said: “We have secured funding of £250,000 from the local authority and we have a not-too-secret desire to create a nursery.”

And Mr Fletcher’s previous career could also have an influence on lessons. He used to work as a tree surgeon, and his love of the great outdoors has led him to look at developing a forest school, where children would leave the classroom and do more learning in the woods.