A WOKINGHAM school has announced the appointment of a new headteacher for the start of the 2023/24 academic year.
Jen Comber, who has worked as interim headteacher at City Academy Norwich and as deputy headteacher at The Costello School for six years, will take the reins at Bohunt School Wokingham.
Described as a ‘highly experienced educational leader’, Ms Comber gained her MA in Education and National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership.
She replaces Mr Ben Godber, who had been headteacher since the school’s opening in 2016 but decided to step down to focus on caring for his terminally ill father.
Of her appointment, Ms Comber said: “It is an honour to be joining the brilliant team at Bohunt Wokingham. The post represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for me, given the School’s excellent reputation and energy.
“I have every intention to continue and build on the current high expectations for the School, and I am looking forward to working closely with staff, students, parents and carers and the whole Wokingham community, to ensure that Bohunt Wokingham continues to provide the best possible education for every student, working as part of Bohunt Education Trust.”
Ms Comber starts in September and will work closely with the school’s leadership team and board of governors, as well as with senior leaders at Bohunt Educational Trust and its trustees.
The trust sponsors eight schools across Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire.
Outgoing headteacher Mr Godber said: ““Leading Bohunt Wokingham for the last seven years has been a huge pleasure and privilege.
Whilst it is particularly sad to be leaving the Bohunt Wokingham family after such a special journey to date, it is with full confidence that I hand the School over to Jen Comber, and leave to focus on other important priorities for the immediate future.
Thank you to the entire community and Bohunt Education Trust for their support during what has been a monumental high in my career. I look forward to seeing what great accomplishments lie ahead for Bohunt Wokingham.”
Bohunt expressed its gratitude for the work Mr Godber had done during his headship. A spokesperson for the school said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ben Godber for his excellent leadership and recognise the great work he has done building up the school to where it is now.
“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to him as he focuses on the primary care for his terminally ill father.
“We pass on our thoughts to Ben and his family during this difficult period and wish him continued success in the future.”