'Sky is the limit' for new Chichester Free School principal

Chichester Free School children celebrate with interim principal, Jenny Clough (left) and newly appointed principal, Louise New, after the school retained its good Ofsted rating. Picture contributed

‘Double celebrations’ are in order at Chichester Free School after it retained its ‘good’ Ofsted rating and appointed a new principal.

Louise New, who has been assistant head teacher since 2016, will replace interim principal Jenny Clough in September.

Mrs Clough said: “The governors’ interview panel was hugely impressed with Louise’s knowledge, commitment and inspiring vision for the school and was unanimous in its decision to appoint her as principal. I warmly congratulate Louise New on her appointment. She will provide outstanding leadership at what is an exciting time for our school.”

Mrs New said she was ‘absolutely delighted’ to have been appointed. She added: “I have been fortunate enough to work here for a number of years with wonderful children and a team of staff who are dedicated to ensuring all our pupils are happy, successful and achieve their full potential.

"I am looking forward to working with pupils, staff, parents and governors in the next phase of the school’s continued development.”

'I came here for excitement of building something new'

Originally from the Midlands, Mrs New said she went to university and completed her teaching qualifications in York, before moving to the South East where she has been teaching for ten years.

Speaking to the Observer about her new role, Mrs New revealed she first came to Chichester Free School ‘for the excitement of building something new’.

She added: “I was head of English at St Petersfield School before moving to Chichester Free School in 2014 in the same role.

"The school had only been open a few months when I first got my job. and having led a very large English department successfully, the idea of coming in and actually building something from scratch was really exciting. I’ve been here ever since.”

'Standards in the school remain high and are improving over time' says Ofsted

Louise New, principal of Chichester Free School from September 2019. Picture contributed

Having now moved into its permanent site in Hunston Road from September 2018, Mrs New said she was delighted with the school’s progress in education despite being in temporary sites in Vinnetrow Road since 2013.