Principal Designate announced for new Stevenage Studio School
Donna Lodge has been appointed as Principal Designate of the new Da Vinci Studio School of science and engineering opening in Stevenage this September.
With over 20 years teaching experience, holding a senior leadership position for the past six years, coupled with accountancy training at KPMG, Donna brings a wealth of educational experience, as well as entrepreneurial ideas and business acumen to the post.
"I'm delighted to have this opportunity” said Donna, “I believe that education changes lives and wish to lead a school which values each individual for their unique talents and which works hard to build self-esteem, cultivate confidence and life skills and which delivers examination results to improve the life chances for each student".
Donna has spent the past three years as Deputy Head teacher at Hitchin Girls' School, a specialist science college, where she has overseen the work of the science department. During which time the department has been involved in a range of community activities and projects.
The Da Vinci Studio School, sponsored by North Hertfordshire College is one of 12 new studio schools announced by Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, which will specialise in science and engineering. Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, said, "I look forward to working closely with Donna Lodge to deliver outstanding opportunities at the Da Vinci Studio School for local young people. North Hertfordshire College are to be congratulated for attracting such a top class candidate to help us take this project forward."
The new Studio School model allows students to learn through an enquiry based curriculum with a greater emphasis on workplace learning and linking school work to the world of work. The Da Vinci Studio School will be able to utilise the human and capital resources of some major local employers and students will be able to have access to some of the most progressive equipment and see first- hand the application of science and engineering within the workplace.
Donna explained: "The ability to link school work to the world of work will be a key driver in encouraging greater commitment; students will be able to appreciate the relevance of both the academic content of their courses in addition to the skills developed through team work, problem solving and creative thinking.” The chair of Governors for the Da Vinci Studio School Fintan Donohue added: “This new school is a ground-breaking way to deliver education and we have every confidence that Donna will lead this dynamic link between learning and enterprise."
The Da Vinci Studio School is holding open evenings on 2nd February and 14th March, where you can meet Donna and find out more about the school itself.