Much loved Head Teacher departs Ernehale Flying High Academies for pastures new

Staff and children of Ernehale Flying High Academies in Arnold, bid farewell to their much-loved Head Teacher, Anne Batley, on the final day of term.

On an emotional, -but joyful Easter Bonnet day, Anne, who has been at the school since 2006, said she would miss the children and community that has been such an important part of her career. “My final day has been an emotional one, but filled with memories and laughter, and with a hope that this school means as much to the children who have attended over the years as it has meant to me.

“Teaching has always been my passion, and from a young age I knew that this was the career for me. It has been a privilege to have served the children, and the Ernehale community for so long. I know the school will always be a fantastic place for children to learn and build happy memories. I will miss them all so much.”

During Anne’s time at the school, she has seen many changes, including joining the Flying High Partnership in 2015, and more recently merging with Ernehale Infants School to create Ernehale Flying High Academies. The school has won many accolades including becoming recognised for music excellence and awarded the school Music Mark and ‘Music Hub’ status. Under Anne’s leadership the academies earned the prestigious BECTA IT lead school for the Department of Education, a Mental Health Gold Award, the first within the East Midlands Region and is currently nominated for a Carnegie Antiracist Award for Schools.

Anne is also a National Leader of Education and a system leader which enables her to support schools across the East Midlands in their improvement journey. She said, “I am proud that Ernehale has opened its doors to so many teachers and students to see best practice and that Ernehale is a school that is outward facing and always striving for self-improvement.”

Chris Wheatley is CEO of the Flying High Partnership and said, “Anne has been a fantastic Head Teacher, and colleague within the Flying High Partnership. We wish her well in her new ventures and would like to say that we will be forever grateful to her for her service, professionalism, and leadership, both within Ernehale Flying High Academies, and the Trust.”

During a farewell message Anne addressed staff and children saying, “Everyone in Team Ernehale is hardworking and dedicated, and I have always been so proud that we know exactly what the saying “Together Everyone Achieves More” really means. I know I am leaving our school with an exciting future ahead.”