Parkfield School has welcomed a new interim head, Ian Golding, a leader at one of the country’s biggest multi-academy trusts.
Ian, from Oasis Multi-Academy Trust, brings with him 25 years’ experience in education.
He was involved in successfully merging two Southampton schools to form Lord’s Hill Academy and led the school to a good Ofsted judgement in March 2016.
Ian will now build upon the work of former Parkfield interim head Alex Prout whose tenure ends this month (March).
Graham Exon, chair of Parkfield’s Interim Advisory Board (IAB), said: “We are very pleased to welcome Ian Golding as our new interim head. He brings a great deal of experience in transforming schools and is a leading light in education.”
Graham continued: “We are confident Ian will continue the great work Alex Prout has started during her six-month secondment to the school.
“Following their visit in November, Ofsted acknowledged the many improvements Alex has made to teaching and learning at Parkfield, which will lead, in time, to raised standards and better outcomes for pupils throughout the school.
“Ian Golding will take up the leadership of Parkfield School from Monday March 13, with the support of staff, the IAB, and the Department for Education and will be continuing to provide stability and the best possible outcomes for all our pupils.”
Ian Golding started his teaching career at the Tiffin School, a grammar school in Kingston-upon-Thames. He then held a number of middle leadership roles in schools across south west London before securing his first senior leadership role in Croydon.
In 2007, Ian was appointed as the founding Principal of Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill in Southampton. The school was formed from two failing schools that were merged.
The Academy was launched in September 2008, operating from two sites and serving an area of significant socio-economic disadvantage.
Ian’s leadership of Lord’s Hill led to significant changes in outcomes, attendance and reduced exclusions.
Admission numbers to the Academy improved and in 2012 it moved into a purpose built building. Ian was also involved in the design and development of the new building.
In March 2016, the Academy was inspected by Ofsted and rated as ‘good’.
Ian said: “I am tremendously excited to be joining Parkfield as it moves to a purpose-built school and continues on its road to improvement.
“The staff, children and parents are all passionate about the school and I am looking forward to working with them.
“I would like to thank Alex Prout, who has achieved a great deal during her secondment to Parkfield, and I will use my own expertise and experience to continue that good work.”
Ian is also governor at a local sixth form college and has served the local Secondary Heads’ Group in a variety of roles.
He has been married for 26 years and has two daughters and an adopted son who was an Afghan refugee.
Opened in September 2013, Parkfield School is directly funded by central government and independent of local authority control.
Information for editors
Alex Prout took on the role of interim head at Parkfield School from headteacher Terry Conaghan, who was on long-term sick leave and has since left.
As Principal of Queen’s Park Academy in Bournemouth Alex Prout led the school from special measures to outstanding in Ofsted judgements.
As the current Director of Primary Education at Ambitions Academies Trust (AAT), her support of Tregonwell Academy in Bournemouth and Longspee Academy in Poole have contributed to both receiving outstanding Ofsted inspections.
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