St Lawrence Academy welcomes new headteacher

-Credit: (Image: Submitted)
-Credit: (Image: Submitted)


A new head teacher is relishing an early opportunity to introduce himself to prospective parents and outline his ambitious vision for a Scunthorpe school.

Michael McCluskie has enjoyed his first few weeks at The St Lawrence Academy and will meet Year 6 pupils and their families at the school’s Open Evening on Thursday October 10.

“Some of the children I’ve met here are the nicest I’ve come across in my teaching career,” he said. “I love the cultural and ethnic diversity. We have 33 different languages in this building which delights me as a linguist, and this is cause for celebration.”

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The Glasgow-born head teacher moved south to Filey School in North Yorkshire to teach French and Spanish 26 years ago. He became head of Modern Foreign Languages six years later, further along the coast at Bridlington School, before moving north again to become assistant head at Scalby School in Scarborough.

He was promoted to deputy and later became its head. It became the lead school in the newly established Coast and Vale Learning Trust and Mr McCluskie was asked to take on an executive headteacher role, supporting new secondaries which joined.

When the role at The St Lawrence was advertised in early 2023, the timing was not right, with Mr McCluskie dealing with a serious RAAC issue at one of the Trust’s schools. I was missing the contact with the kids and staff in the exec role. When I saw the permanent role advertised again this year, I had no decision to make.”

His successful application meant he linked up again with St Lawrence Academies Trust’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Adnitt.

“When I was head of MFL at Bridlington, Mike was head of PE. I was impressed with this Trust’s vision and values. It being a church school, it was aligned to my own beliefs in terms of how children should be developed.

“It’s a trust committed to caring for and nurturing its young people. This school has some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged students in the region and we need to ensure they get the best possible chance in life.

“The development of the whole child is at the centre of what we do.” He thanked families, students and staff for the welcome he had received.

“It’s very clear this academy is at the very heart of the community it serves. We’ve made some significant changes since the start of the term and everybody has been really positive about it.

“I’ve also had excellent support from the Trust and the Local Authority.”

Married to Joanne, who also holds a senior role in education, they have two boys, Fran and Rowan. “We know a good school makes all the difference to life chances.

“The Open Evening will see all our subjects display the type of learning young people can expect here. It will be interactive and give parents and children the chance to meet and talk to the teachers and me an opportunity to show my vision for education at The St Lawrence Academy.”

Mr Adnitt was delighted to renew his professional relationship with Mr McCluskie. “I knew we had made an excellent, permanent appointment and that Michael would be a great fit for the academy and vice versa,” Mr Adnitt said.

“He has a clear vision of where he wants to take the school and we look forward to it making significant progress under his watch.”

Thursday’s Open Evening will take place between 4pm and 7pm, with Mr McCluskie speaking at 4.15pm and 5pm.