Mrs Fraher, pictured, has decided to pursue a new challenge aligning with her passion for the delivery of SEND provision, across the wider Central Bedfordshire area.

She will also continue working for the school as SENDCo for one day a week.

Mrs Fraher has been an integral part of the Campton community for nearly 20 years, having initially joined the school in 2006 as an NQT. She became interim Principal in January 2021, shortly after the school had joined BEST, with her appointment being made permanent in April 2022.

Dr Alan Lee, Chief Executive Officer of BEST, said: “Mrs Fraher has given exceptional service both to the school and our trust. Under her leadership the school has an enviable reputation, achieving excellent outcomes, possessing the highest quality pastoral care and offering a broad range of extracurricular opportunities.

“Mrs Fraher also led the school through a very successful Ofsted inspection in November 2023, in which inspectors highlighted the high-quality curriculum, SEND provision and the actions of school leaders on wellbeing as particular strengths.

“Whilst we will miss Mrs Fraher, I fully support her decision and am delighted she will continue to work for the school as SENDCo.”

Mrs Fraher said: “It has been an absolute privilege having the opportunity to work with so many young people and their families over the past 18+ years. When I started as a newly qualified teacher, I never imagined the opportunities that would come my way.

“I am very grateful to previous leaders and to BEST for believing in me, supporting me to complete additional training and, more recently, to lead the school. 

“I feel very fortunate to have worked with such incredibly supportive staff, parents and carers and governors, I strongly believe this has been key to the school's success.”

She added: “My focus has always been on supporting the staff team to deliver the best possible educational and wider opportunities for pupils and families.

“Moving forward, this is the aspect of my career I have decided to focus on, both as a specific learning difficulties advisory teacher for the local authority and by continuing as Campton's Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator.”

Taking over as Principal will be Susanne Combe, who is BEST’s Director of Training and Professional Development.

Ms Combe is someone who knows the school very well, having previously held the same role five years ago, successfully navigating the school through the Covid pandemic and its transition into BEST.

Ms Combe said: “I am looking forward to coming back to Campton Academy having been interim Principal during Covid. I know the fantastic staff as well as some of the pupils at the school already, so will be able to resume this position quite quickly. 

“I am looking forward to meeting parents and carers and working with them for the benefit of their children.”

Alan Stupple, Chair of Governors at Campton and BEST Director of Maths, said: “Having worked with Mrs Fraher since joining the trust and seeing the positive impact she has had each day, I would like to personally thank her as well as thanking her as chair of the governing board.

“I am confident Ms Combe will use her experience and passion for personal development, as well as her knowledge of the school, to successfully lead Campton Academy going forward."