The new principal of a St Neots secondary school will start her new role after Easter, it has been announced.  

Catherine Cusick will be joining Longsands Academy, part of the Astrea Trust, and her new boss describes her as “exactly the right leader” for the school.  

The Trust explains that in her previous role as a deputy headteacher, Dr Cusick supported the implementation of “new pastoral and behaviour systems”. 

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Longsands Academy is part of The Astrea Academy Trust, which has recently been criticised for its strict behaviour policy.  

Rowena Hackwood, the Trust’s CEO, said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Catherine Cusick, who is exactly the right leader to focus on this next phase of development for Longsands Academy.  

“I have the greatest confidence that under Catherine’s leadership, Longsands will continue on its journey to become a thriving school and deliver on our mission to give every child there a brilliant education.”   

Dr Cusick was most recently deputy headteacher at The Ongar Academy, in Essex and has worked in leadership positions over the last 10 years in Essex and Hertfordshire.  

Longsands Academy was told it “requires improvement” at its most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2019.  

Earlier this month, Ernulf Academy, St Neots’ other secondary school which is also part of the Astrea Academy Trust, was also awarded the same 'requires improvement' Ofsted rating.  

Speaking of her appointment, Dr Cusick said: “I feel enormously privileged to have been chosen to lead Longsands in the next stage of its journey.  

“The sense of community at Longsands was really striking when I visited the school.  

“I am really looking forward to becoming part of this community and getting to know and working with all the students, staff, parents and carers to ensure that every student receives an excellent education.” 

Geraint Brown - the former principal of Cottenham Village College, also part of the Astrea Academy Trust - is currently the interim principal at Longsands Academy.