Page 14 - link magazine

Pioneer Swindon school leader awarded OBE
Lauren Costello, managing direc-
tor and co-founder of the Swindon
based White Horse Federation of
primary schools, was awarded the
HIGHWORTH WARNEFORD Order of the British Empire for
services to education in the Queen's
SCHOOL Birthday Honours List, announced on
13 June.
£799 As Lauren Connor she was head-
Shrivenham Road, Highworth, SN6 7BZ
An Academy Putting Excellence First teacher of Moredon Primary School
for 5 years and was Swindon's first
OPEN MORNINGS National Leader of Education, and
the first executive headteacher
Monday 21 September to Friday 9 October of two schools. Mrs Costello is
currently the vice- chair of the OBE awarded to Lauren Costello
Highworth Warneford is an outstanding secondary school Department of Education's Primary
providing an excellent learning environment which allows Headteacher Reference Group. “Everyone has been incredibly
pupils to thrive and develop their academic, She has overseen the improvement supportive and they’ve said they are
personal and social skills. journey of many Swindon schools, very proud, which I am so grateful
In our most recent Ofsted report (May 2013) pupils’ behaviour was often taking them from an Ofsted for.
described as ‘outstanding both in lessons and around the school’ grading of inadequate or special She added that she had to read
and such behaviour makes a ‘strong contribution to their learning’. measures, to good and more often the letter asking her to accept the
outstanding. honour several times. “It was a huge
So that you can see for yourself the quality of our provision, But Lauren is keen to acknowledge surprise and once the shock had
we would like to invite you to visit the school on a normal all the people who have worked with passed I realised somebody had put
working day. Each visit lasts for up to 1½ hours and will give her saying that in education OBE is in a lot of effort to research my past
you the opportunity to see lessons and meet pupils and staff. often thought of being for ‘Other as worthy of an award.
Beggers Efforts.’ “It’s incredibly humbling.”
To book your visit She said: “The award is for the Dr Nicholas Capstick, White Horse
please contact Mrs Lewis, work of lots of people over the last Federation chief executive said:
Admissions Officer, on (01793) 767083 16 years who have contributed to "This award could not be more
or email: improving standards at Nylands, deserving. Lauren is a great school
[email protected] Rodbourne and Moredon schools; it leader, clear educational thinker
just happened that my name was on and a compassionate and caring
the door at the time. colleague and headteacher."

14 swindonlink.com n July 2015