Ark’s Director of Primary awarded OBE for services to education

Ark is pleased to announce that Venessa Willms, Ark’s Director of Primary and Founding Headteacher of King Solomon Academy Primary, has been awarded an OBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours List.

Venessa, who led the primary stage of Ark’s first all-through academy from its opening in 2007 through to 2013, was one of just 27 educational professionals to be awarded an OBE for services to education this year.

In her role as Director of Primary, which she has held since 2013, Venessa develops and leads Ark’s strategy to ensure that all primary pupils in the network achieve the outstanding education needed to help them achieve at secondary school and beyond.

Venessa said: “I’m delighted to have been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Over the past nine years at Ark, including seven as the Founding Principal at King Solomon Academy Primary, I have worked with talented teachers and senior leaders to provide every child with the tools they need to go to university or pursue a career of their choice.

“Their dedication to that mission continues to inspire and, together, we are working to set a high bar for educational outcomes.”

Published each year, the New Year’s Honours List “recognise(s) the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the UK” in diverse fields including philanthropy, science and technology, industry and the arts.