Aylesbury Vale Academy Director Roger Burman leaves after four years of success

After a highly successful career in education lasting 38 years, Mr Roger Burman leaves the Aylesbury Vale Academy in a much better place than when he took over four years ago.

He spent many of his formative teaching years as a National Leader of Education sorting out failing schools in the North of England.

Under Mr Burman’s leadership, Aylesbury Vale Academy has been 'transformed from a school that was languishing at the bottom of the league tables to the successful and oversubscribed school it is today', say the school.

They added that this is all the more impressive, because in a 'highly selective educational system, the academy remains a non-selective school, open to all students, regardless of academic or social background'.

R T Rochefort, Chair of Governors, said: "Mr Burman’s most striking achievements include the radical improvement of teaching and learning, putting structures and systems

in place to resolve long-standing behaviour issues, and building a strong and dedicated team of very capable staff, committed to delivering these goals.

"Moreover and hugely importantly, he has succeeded in bringing together the previously disparate primary and secondary schools to share a new whole-school culture and ethos of high expectations, achievement and good pastoral care."

The current head of secondary school Mr Gavin Gibson will take over the role of Executive Director.

The school issued a statement thanking Mr Burman for his transformational role during his time at the school.

They cite his most striking achievements as 'radically improving teaching and learning, and building a strong and dedicated team of very capable staff, resulting in improved academic results year on year.

'He also succeeded in bringing together the previously disparate primary and secondary schools to share a new ‘all-through-school’ ethos of high expectations and pastoral care.'

His approach has been described as 'no nonsense' that always put the needs of the pupils first, with the goal of 'immeasurably enhancing their life chances'.

Ofsted recognised the huge progress the Academy has made over the last four years, having been awarded 'good' status in 2019.

As the Inspectors stated in their summary of the report, ‘The Executive Principal’s inspirational leadership has enabled a rapid improvement across all areas of the academy’.

Governors would like to thank Mr Burman for all he has done at the Academy. His will be an enduring legacy.

However, they are pleased to announce that Mr Gavin Gibson, current Head of the Secondary School, will be the new Academy Principal and are confident that under his excellent leadership, AVA will have a secure and very successful future.