Weldon Village Academy in Northamptonshire is a new co-educational secondary school under Meridian Trust that is expected to open in September 2023. This week it was announced that Matt Norris has been appointed as the Principal of the new school.
Matt, whose appointment begins in January 2023, said: “The upcoming opening of Weldon Village Academy is a hugely exciting prospect for all families in the area and we plan to provide an outstanding education for our students. A brand new, dynamic school, overseen by an established and successful Trust in Meridian, is just what the people of Corby and surrounding areas need as the population continues to grow. I’m really excited to use my experience to create a safe, vibrant and inclusive learning environment in which students can thrive.”
Matt graduated from The University of Hull in 2002, before working as a Teaching Assistant and then training to become a teacher. Weldon Village Academy will be his fifth secondary school and his first headship, following five years as Deputy Head at Hampton College in Peterborough.
With a strong track record of driving improvement throughout his career, both in schools and teacher training, Matt has demonstrated his impact in roles including Head of English, Assistant Headteacher and SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) Director.
Sarah Wilson, Executive Principal (Secondary) at the Trust, said: “We are thrilled that Matt is joining us next year. He brings a wealth of teaching experience and will be a huge asset to us, the school and its community.”
Weldon Village Academy is a new secondary school for Corby due to open in September 2023 and will provide 1,200 places for students in Years 7 to 11 and 300 Post-16 students in coming years.
The new school and its state-of-the-art facilities will help young people foster a lifelong love of learning, and ensure they develop the necessary skills required to become resilient, independent, and confident learners. When complete, the school building will be three storeys high. The sports provision includes a multi-use games area, two-full sized football pitches, and three five-a-side pitches. It also provides safe dedicated access to parking and drop off areas, as well as cycle and pedestrian links to the main building, entrances, and sports areas.