New federation for two Norfolk primary schools

May 11, 2023

We are pleased to announce that we have a new Federation of primary schools that have been launched between Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham and Lyng Church of England Primary Academy.

Following the retirement of Lyng CE Primary School’s current Headteacher, Mrs Helen Watson, at the end of this academic year, Mrs Shannon O’Sullivan has been appointed as Executive Headteacher across the Federation, ably supported by Mr Nick Wade, as the Executive Deputy Headteacher while the staff in each of the schools remain the same.

Mrs Shannon O’Sullivan said: “We are very much looking forward to this new chapter in the life of Thomas Bullock CE Primary alongside Lyng Primary Academy and for their communities.  We know that the children will gain from active involvement in events across the federation and make new friends along the way.  In addition, this model has potential to provide both schools with cost advantages which we envisage will only further enhance our schools for the children, by developing our staffing teams experience and continuing to progress and share our excellent practice.”

She added: “At Thomas Bullock we have achieved wonderful success, in 2022 our KS2 results were ‘Significantly Above National, in the top 20% of schools’ in Reading, Writing and Maths and this included exceptionally high results for children working at the above expected standards.  We are looking to continue this success with the children across the federation in years to come, by letting their light shine brightly.”

Lyng Church of England Primary Academy has 99 pupils and employs 15 staff and is rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted and joined DNEAT in November 2022.

The new name of the Federation is to be announced shortly.