Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parent/Carer,
Welcome back for the start of a new academic year! I am absolutely thrilled and feel very privileged to be the new Head Teacher of Somerset Bridge Primary School. First and foremost, I would like to start by welcoming all of our new children to the school and also wishing our Year Six children a very happy, enjoyable and successful final year.
I want to thank Mr Bryant for his support and for his hard work and commitment in making Somerset Bridge the school that it is. Mr Bryant and our chair of governors, Mr Argrave, spoke so enthusiastically and passionately about the school when I visited and I left with a strong desire to be part of the school.
For me, it is really important that a primary school is full of children and staff who are happy and enjoy being at the school. I could see throughout my visit that the school was full of children that were engaged, motivated and happy. The staff were all so welcoming, and I couldn’t fail to pick up on their positive relationships with the children and each other.
I have been lucky to have completed 29 years in education, starting my career at Westover Green Primary School in 1997 as a newly qualified teacher. I became a headteacher in 2014 and have led three very different schools over the past fourteen years. I have thoroughly enjoyed every school.
I grew up in Bridgwater and attended St Joseph’s Primary School before going on to Haygrove School and Bridgwater College. I am so proud to have grown up in Bridgwater and love all the traditions, especially Bridgwater Carnival! My family and friends all say that ‘you can take Mark out of Bridgwater, but you cannot take Bridgwater out of Mark!’ and they are correct!
My priority this term is simple, to listen, to learn, and to understand what matters most to the staff, you and your children. Every school has its own heartbeat, and I am committed to honouring what already works well here while working with you to build on our strengths.
You can expect a strong focus on high-quality teaching, excellent behaviour, and a nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued and inspired to achieve their best. I believe deeply in the power of aspirations, bravery, caring for each other and collaboration, the Somerset Bridge values and these values will guide the decisions we make together.
I look forward to meeting you all on Monday.
Best wishes
