Devizes School head outlines plans for Melksham Oak Community School

David Cooper, the headteacher at Devizes School, was recently announced as the new executive headteacher of both his current school and Melksham Oak Community School.

Mr Cooper will step into the role after this academic year and will then split his time between the two sites.

The White Horse Federation (WHF), the multi-academy trust responsible for the schools, will be appointing associate heads to help oversee both sites.

Mr Cooper stressed the move, which comes after issues at Melksham Oak were raised by parents and former governors, is not about saving money.

The 50-year-old said the decision was made to “maximise” the opportunities on offer for both sets of students.

READ MORE: Melksham Oak headteacher to leave after only one year

Melksham Oak Community School (Image: Trevor Porter)

He said: “I genuinely feel what we’re doing is going to give the best possible experience for the students and that’s what it’s about.

“We’re not reducing leadership teams, we’re not saving money, we are putting into place a structure that we think is right to maximise the opportunities for students at both schools.

“It doesn’t mean the schools are sharing a headteacher, at all times there will be someone in the role of headteacher in the school, we’ll have a very strong leadership structure for both.”

The two schools already share “resources and expertise” including collaboration at sixth form level.

Mr Cooper is “excited” about the new role and the opportunity to increase this collaboration.

He added: “My feeling is there’s an opportunity to do something on an even greater scale next year where we can share the skills and expertise we have.

“We can make sure things get better for students on both campuses, we’re not talking about moving younger students around.

“But there are all kinds of opportunities for enrichment activities and improving the curriculum on offer.”

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Devizes School

Current Melksham Oak head Haris Hussain will take up another WHF leadership role this summer.

Several governors have also been removed from their roles, and former governor Cllr Jon Hubbard recently criticised the trust for “under-resourcing” the school.

Mr Cooper emphasised there is a “fantastic” group of teachers at the Melksham school but said he will be looking to improve communication.

He added: “We want to give students a first-rate learning experience. One of the things I’m aware of is the parents at Melksham Oak have requested greater communication.

“I’m very keen to work with the current staff to make sure everybody feels completely informed about what we’re doing.”