A New Era in Education

The first new school in the Diocese of Salisbury in 14 years opened its doors last week.

St Peter's CE Primary Academy is located in Salisbury, on the series of large new housing developments on the former Land Forces HQ site.

Headteacher Oliver Martindale said, “This is every Headteacher’s dream – to build a school from the ground up, ensuring the highest possible standards of teaching, learning, aspiration and behaviour.

“I will make the most of this extraordinary privilege, to see that every child reaches their potential, as part of the rich network we are establishing with the church and wider community.”

Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust (DSAT) CEO Mark Lacey said, “It has been thrilling to watch the construction of our brand new school, every week there has been more progress made and something new to wonder at.

“We couldn’t be happier with the finished result. Ollie and the staff have hit the ground running, and the children themselves are even more excited than the grown-ups! This brand-new school marks a new era for this part of South Wiltshire, for us as a Trust, and for the Dioceses as a whole.

“We expect great things!”

St Peter's CE Primary Academy is a member of the Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust. Visit the website: www.stpeters.dsat.org.uk.

Ollie Martindale continued, “I have been in post since early December last year, which has given me countless opportunities to meet with parents and talk about the curriculum, staffing, and similar issues. This had a positive impact on recruitment. We had over eighty applications for the six classroom jobs at the school.

“We have seven full-time employees already; all with an excellent track record of teaching. I am very privileged to have such a talented team of colleagues.

“My personal vision is to equip children with a love of learning and passion to succeed by making education memorable, cutting-edge and challenging. Children will leave St Peter’s as experts in their own learning and endowed with a rich tapestry of core skills and competencies to allow them to achieve anything. Five values sit at the heart of this: excellence, respect, community, aspiration and critical thinking).

“Church and community links are tremendously important to putting our vision into practise. Our governing body has been operational since early 2018. Our Chair of Governors, Kate Agha, is a parent and experienced teacher. St. Peter’s Place Community Group is led by the Rev’d Simon Woodley, Vicar of Bemerton, in whose parish we are located. He has been instrumental in mobilising a Christian community on the estate to support our school.

“We already have plans for coffee mornings and, in the near-future, church services for the residents of St. Peter’s Place which will take place at the school.

Bishop Nicholas will officially open the school on Thursday 18 October at 2 pm.