Headteacher update

Dean Johnstone, our chair of governors, wrote to parents and carers on 12th March this year:

Dear parents and carers,

As you are aware Sean is retiring at the end of this academic year. Therefore we have needed to organise a recruitment process for the post of permanent headteacher from this September. This involved national advertising and a demanding shortlisting and assessment process, including an interview and tasks before a panel of 4 governors and an LA advisor.

I am delighted to be able to confirm that Jane Bickley will be the permanent headteacher from September 2025.

The board voted unanimously in favour of appointing Jane. We are pleased to appoint the first female headteacher in the school’s history.

Jane, as you will all be aware, knows the school very deeply and has proved her dedication to the school over the last 14 years. We are very confident she will fully succeed as headteacher and look forward to working with Jane and the whole community to help the school succeed.

Ashmead is a very special place. We are thrilled to be able to build on these successes to ensure that all children thrive.

Best wishes,

Dean Johnstone

Jane wrote the following message to parents and carers following her appointment:

Following the announcement of my appointment as substantive Headteacher from September, I want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you for all your kind words of encouragement and congratulations. Your support truly means the world.

I’m incredibly excited to lead Ashmead into its next chapter and keen to hear from you - our school community - about what we can build on, what we can do even better, and what you’d love to see in the future. In the next term or so I’ll be sending out questionnaires to gather your ideas, but in the meantime, if you’d like to share any thoughts, please feel free to email me (headteacher@ashmead.lewisham.sch.uk).

Ashmead is a truly special place, and I feel so privileged to be part of this wonderful community. Thank you again for your ongoing support. I look forward to working together to shape the future of our school.

Jane Bickley