Pupil-led recruitment video plays part in recruiting “outstanding” new head

Toni Kittle has been appointed the new headteacher at Westfield Primary Academy following a recruitment drive which included a You Tube video starring the school’s pupils.

The Haverhill school hit the headlines when it produced a recruitment video promoting what the pupils “love about Westfield”.

And it played its part in recruiting Mrs Kittle, current headteacher of Pot Kiln Primary School in Sudbury.

Mrs Kittle, who starts at the school in September, said: “I can already see that Westfield is a very special school with delightful pupils.

“I look forward to meeting parents, staff and pupils and working with all at the school on the next stage of its journey to excellence.”

Tim Coulson, chief executive of Unity Schools Partnership of which Westfield is a member, said he was delighted to appoint Mrs Kittle following a recruitment video that attracted widespread admiration and resulted in a shortlist of candidates, all of whom were already headteachers.

Mr Coulson said: “The trust is very fortunate to be attracting excellent and experienced headteachers.

“We look forward to working with Mrs Kittle and are confident that the school has many excellent years ahead.”

Charlie Abbott, chair of governors at Westfield Primary Academy, said: “Mrs Kittle was the outstanding candidate in a very strong field. We are delighted to have appointed such an excellent headteacher who we know will give great leadership to our school.”

The current interim head, David Maguire, will return to neighbouring Coupals Primary Academy next summer.

The video, which was produced by Ipswich-based videographer Jamie Niblock, got more than 2,000 views on You Tube and attracted local and national media coverage.

Footage includes interviews in the library, classroom and playground and also pupils recreating the roles of school staff and even the ‘headteacher’.

It can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Ym1pZp-4Q.