From leafy Hampstead to inner-city school

A HEADTEACHER is swapping her desk at a school in the heart of Hampstead for a job in one of the most deprived areas of the borough.
Lynn Trigg, who has been at Hampstead Parochial School for six years, is to take over at St Michael’s Church of England School in Camden Street, Camden Town.
St Michael’s previous head, Doreen Hainsworth, left at Christmas, and the governors have been searching for a replacement for over a year.
Ms Trigg, who lives in Highgate, said: “It will be quite a challenge – and that is one of the reasons I am excited about it.
“Headteachers are often at their most effective for the first seven years – and so, after six, I thought it was time to move.”
The two primary schools could not be more different. Although recent Ofsted reports have praised both schools’ performance, just over 10 per cent of pupils at Hampstead Parochial are entitled to free school meals, compared with nearly 60 per cent at St Michael’s.
St Michael’s 200 children come from all over the world while Hampstead’s pupils are predominantly white.
According to an Ofsted report, around a third of St Michael’s pupils are Bangladeshi and a quarter African, while four- fifths of the school roll are learning English as a second language and a third have special educational needs, compared with one per cent at Hampstead Parochial.
The Parochial, tucked down a cul-de-sac in Holly Bush Vale, has won plaudits while Ms Trigg has been in charge. It gained a Healthy Schools Award in 2002 and Investors in People status in 2003.
Pupils from year six onwards are taught French by their departing head teacher.
Ms Trigg said the difference between the schools was one reason she wanted to move.
She added: “I have some plans for the school and I want to apply my expertise elsewhere.”
St Michael’s governor Father Nicholas Wheeler said the school was thrilled to have been able to appoint such a well- respected head. He said: “We wanted to find the right person for the job – and we wanted someone who was a practising Christian.”
He said that, despite the school’s religious make-up – 60 per cent of its roll is Muslim – having a headteacher who is a regular church goer was important.
He added: “Christians and Muslims have a lot in common. We both believe in a world created by God – and that is a good basis to start a relationship.”
The new head is to work two days a week at her post in Camden Town, and three days a week in Hampstead, until the New Year, when she will transfer permanently.