Introducing Natalie Harris – Dunstall Park Primary Head of School

Incoming Dunstall Park Primary Head of School, Natalie Harris, aims to bring the ‘Walmley magic’ with her as she takes the reins at The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership’s new Tamworth school.

Natalie, who is leaving Walmley Junior School at the end of this term after 24 successful years, says the time is right to take on her first headship role and she cannot wait to get started.

She said: “I have worked under three excellent heads who have helped me develop and grow as a leader and I will be bringing these skills with me to Dunstall Park.

“The new school is going to be the beating heart of the community and that’s what motivates me so much, because it’s exactly what’s been built at Walmley.

“I have taught current pupils’ parents who have wanted to bring their children to the same school because of the big part it plays in the community and because of how well the staff know the families. It will be fantastic to be working in brand-new buildings but it still remains the people that truly make a school successful and that’s what will be the focus when we recruit for the new school.”

Natalie Harris, Head of School at Dunstall Park Primary.

Natalie boasts a wealth of teaching experience having started her career in Stechford before spending 24 years at her current school, firstly as a class teacher before becoming assistant headteacher and then spending nine years as deputy headteacher.

She added: “I’ve spent lots of time in both classroom and leadership roles and have still been in and out of the classroom in recent times, so I’ve seen most things!

“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved at Walmley, including two outstanding Ofsteds, but it’s time for a new challenge now and I’m honoured to have been given this opportunity. I’ve been made to feel so welcome and have received great support from the ATLP family already, so I’m really looking forward to familiarising myself further from January.”

When she’s not steering schools to success, Natalie can be found standing on the side of a rugby pitch cheering on her teenage son or teaching her teenage daughter to drive. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog and yoga.

Main picture: Natalie Harris, second right, joined Arthur Terry Learning Partnership colleagues including CEO Richard Gill CBE (right) at last week’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new school.