Who is new headteacher of Wendron School near Helston

Tash Williams joined the primary school near Helston at the start of term, taking over from Matt Oakley who is moving to a newly created role leading the One Cornwall Teaching School Hub training newly qualified teachers.

While she has worked in many schools in Cornwall, starting at St Hilary School near Penzance and more recently Trenance Learning Academy in Newquay, she said this move has felt “personal”, with a strong sense of attachment, having grown up in Helston.

Her own school life began at Parc Eglos School - where her mum Yvonne Dickinson was assistant headteacher during the 2000s – and then moved to Helston Community College. Her parents continue to live in Helston.

After leaving St Hilary, Mrs Williams was an education consultant for Cornwall and then took a break from teaching while her two sons were little, to help grow the family business - a garage in Redruth.

She did this for 12 years, although during that time she continued to keep her hand in as a governor at her local children’s centre and schools in Redruth, where she also volunteered.

Mrs Williams returned to teaching in 2020, a week before lockdown, joining the senior leadership team at Trenance, where she was working up until the end of last term.

She said: “Teaching and working with children has always been my biggest passion. I really believe we have all got a role to play in giving children the best start in life and ensuring their learning journey is an adventure for them.”

New Wendron School headteacher Tash Williams with pupils (Image: Helston Packet) Joining the school community at Wendron has been a joy, she said, adding: “It really feels like a family. It feels like as you walk through the door you’re given a virtual warm hug.

“Everyone has been so welcoming and the children are just amazing. You can’t help but want to be here every day.”

It’s a feeling she hopes is replicated for pupils also, explaining: “I think it’s really important as teachers and educators that we make the school a place that they want to come to, and that they come every day not because they ‘have to’ but because they love it.”

One area she hopes to develop is Wendron’s links with other schools further afield, as well as locally.

To this end the year five and six pupils are to begin a new link-up with a school in Bristol, starting with emailing its year five pupils in lesson time, with both classes also sending each other a guide to their school to see the differences between a smaller rural school and a larger city school.

READ NEXT: 

Well known Helston Super Troupers travel seven countries in seven days as ABBA

“We can give children here the chance to see a little bit more of the world, but in a way that feels very safe. It’s about helping the children to have a bit more of an understanding about life in modern Britain,” explained Mrs Williams.

The school has already forged stronger links with Wendron Parish Church in recent years, and this is something she also hopes to continue building on.

“I’m very lucky to have been asked to be headteacher here. I’ve had a lot of support from Mr Oakley, for which I’m very grateful and thankful. It’s a special place to be,” added Mrs Williams.

Last Friday the school bid a sad farewell to Mr Oakley - and while he may have only joined Wendron in early 2022 he quickly became a hugely popular addition.

Departing head Matt Oakley with staff members at his goodbye tea party (Image: Helston Packet) The parents of Wendron School Association hosted a goodbye tea party for him, at which pupils enjoyed sandwiches and cake, and sang Cornwall My Home.

Mr Oakley said that although he was only there for a relatively short period of time, the school had made a big impression on him.

“It’s such a beautiful school, with amazing children and amazing, supportive parents. The dedicated staff ensure really great standards for the children and it was a pleasure working with everybody – but especially the children.

“I’m sure the school will go from strength to strength under its new headteacher,” he said.

Wendron is holding an open morning next Wednesday, October 16, between 10.30am and 11.30am, for parents and their children who are due to start school in September 2025 to look around and take part in some activities.