Farewell From SAfE’s CEO Maria Dawes
Dear Colleagues,
As temperatures soared last week, it really does feel like the end of term, and I know that everyone working in schools is looking forward to a well-deserved break.
As many of you know, I am stepping down from SAfE as CEO at the end of this term. It has been the most amazing privilege to have set up and led SAfE over the last six years. Over that time, I have enjoyed working with the most amazing MAT and school leaders, governors, teachers and other colleagues. What has shone through is both the commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people in our county and the collaborative professionalism – the commitment to work together and share knowledge, skills and experience to do this.
When we set up SAfE in 2019 our aim was to support schools to be the best they could be and feedback over the years have highlighted the value schools place on being part of SAfE and being able to access the high-quality school improvement support and training we offer in addition to being the ‘glue’ in the education system in Surrey. I am proud to have been part of a genuine partnership with schools. And I am proud of the SAfE team.
Moving forward in September, Louise Yarnell will be Interim CEO alongside her role as Director of School Improvement while the board recruit a substantive CEO. I know that I am leaving SAfE in ‘safe hands’ and schools will continue to have access to outstanding curriculum and leadership development opportunities (including NPQs) and school improvement support. But SAfE will also continue to be the anchor institution for education in the county, supporting all schools regardless of status or size. We believe that place matters and this is maybe even more important in light of local government reorganisation.
Schools and school leaders face a raft of challenges next year, including squeezed funding, the outcome of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, a new Ofsted Framework and a White Paper with major changes to our SEN system. Despite this, I know your resilience and your continued commitment to support our children and young people with their education and wellbeing is inspiring. Thank you for everything that you do, every day. Everyone at SAfE wishes you a well-deserved rest and break and the opportunity to do some things that make your soul sing.
All the best,
Maria x
Maria Dawes
CEO
