A highly experienced head has been appointed Executive Head Teacher for South Dartmoor Community College (SDCC) and Atrium Studio School in Ashburton. Jen Veal has been the Head Teacher at the Taunton Academy in Somerset for the past five years. Before that she taught languages at St Ives for 20 years while holding key positions in the school including that of Interim Head Teacher. 

 Mrs Veal has already been working at SDCC this term in order to prepare for her official start in September. She said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this role. I am really looking forward to joining SDCC and Atrium; it is clear to me that it is a truly wonderful place, where students can be inspired and learn, and where there is a really strong sense of community and working together.” 

 Earlier this year the school joined Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST), which has 22 schools in its group, of which seven are secondary and 15 primary. Its Chief Executive Officer, Rob Haring, said: “Jen is an experienced leader and has led schools in different contexts and local authorities. Throughout all phases of the selection process, Jen Veal performed extremely well and we were delighted when she accepted the post. As such, we have every confidence in Jen Veal building on the foundations already laid by the Interim Head Kevin Dyke and in securing the further improvements required for SDCC to return to being a ‘beacon of success’ in the area.” 

 The Chair of Governors at Mrs Veal’s previous school, Chris Ormrod, described her as an “amazing ball of energy.” He said: “We are sad to see her leave us. It doesn’t seem like yesterday when this amazing ball of vibrant energy burst onto the scene at a time when the school was experiencing some significant difficulties. Mrs Veal has been with us for five years, and in that time her outstanding and innovative leadership has taken us a very, very long way from where we were.” 

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For more information please contact news@southdartmoor.devon.sch.uk or call 0778 6688833.