MLL/lm
1st November 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians
This is rather a strange feeling as I write this letter after nearly 23 Years at Wildern. I have after considerable reflection decided that the time has come to retire and I therefore write to inform you all that this academic year will be my last year as the Executive Head/CEO of Wildern Academy Trust. It is a position I have been privileged to have and I thank you all, many of you who I have known for many years and your children, for the support you have given me over the last 23 Years.
From Assistant Headteacher in 2000 when I joined Wildern, to Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher and latterly Executive Leader I have had the most incredible time. While I do not live locally this has most definitely been a second home to me. I have watched the community grow and have formed strong supportive relationships with so many of you. It is always very strange when an ex-student approaches me at an Open Evening to introduce their son or daughter.
I have enjoyed a wonderful career of 34 years, the majority of which has been at Wildern. I never looked to go anywhere else because I have loved it so much and that hasn’t changed. Growing the Academy Trust to ensure we could educate all the children within our catchment has been a continued ambition and now with two new schools, one which we have finally been able to achieve. After many years of disappointing some of our families who could not secure a place at Wildern their catchment school, it is a personal delight knowing that they have access to two secondary schools and, of course, our lovely Primary school, Boorley Park.
I believe now is the time to go to enable a new Executive Leader to take all three schools onto the next stage of the journey. All are led by great Headteachers and staff and whoever is lucky enough to take on the role will be truly blessed, not just by the staff but the communities they are joining. There is always work to be done and none of us are perfect but I can say genuinely that all the people I have been fortunate enough to work with truly believe in what they do and care passionately about our children. It was evident from the first day I walked into the school and even more so today as I prepare to leave.
I will write again in the summer term with some final reflections and thank you’s. Glenda Lane our Chair of the Trust Board will keep you informed of the new appointment as and when it is secured.
My grateful thanks to you all, it has been a privilege.
Yours faithfully
Marie Louise Litton
Executive Headteacher
