Dear Parents and Carers,
I am pleased to share the news that Dr Alexandra Thorp has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gosforth Group, following a nationwide recruitment process.
Alexandra is set to assume her new role in September 2024 after stepping down from her current position as Senior HMI (His Majesty's Inspector) at Ofsted, where she has served for almost four years. As previously announced, Mr Hugh Robinson, our current and founding CEO, is retiring at the end of the year, and Alexandra will take over his role.
Hugh leaves behind an impressive track record, working tirelessly for our schools and academies over the past 20 years. He was Headteacher of Gosforth High School and played an instrumental role in the formation of Gosforth Group in 2010 with the academisation of Gosforth High School and Gosforth Junior High School, becoming CEO of Gosforth Group. Since then, Hugh has led significant growth and development throughout the Trust, which currently supports around 6,000 students. This has encompassed the addition of two new free schools, Great Park Academy and Callerton Academy, improved Ofsted results in three previously failing schools, and increased demand for places in all schools, including Sixth Form places. Working with Hugh over the past two decades has been an absolute pleasure, and we all wish him well in his retirement.
Alexandra brings a wealth of experience and success to her new role. With over 25 years of senior leadership experience as a headteacher in various schools across the country, her executive headteacher experience with the MOD, providing a UK education to British Military children overseas, further demonstrates her adaptability and leadership skills.
In her current role at Ofsted, Alexandra inspects within primary, secondary and special schools, as well as working closely with local authority areas to help develop their provision for children and young people with SEND.
We are confident in Alexandra’s ability to continue Hugh's legacy of leadership and excellence. She is a highly respected professional with a proven track record of delivering outstanding results. Her extensive senior leadership experience, solid values and drive make her an ideal leader for the Gosforth Group. We are certain she will be an exceptional CEO and play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our growth objectives for the Trust. We warmly welcome Alexandra and eagerly anticipate her contributions when she assumes her new role in September.
Yours sincerely
George Snaith, Chair of Trustees, Gosforth Group