Mrs Wendy Jacobs

Teaching Awards 2008 Winner

The NCSL Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School in London

Rosendale Primary School, LAMBETH

“It’s like she took a ball of wool and crocheted an amazing blanket out if it!” This is how one parent describes how this experienced and energetic head turned around Rosendale Primary School after she took over five years ago.

But Wendy Jacobs did not rest on her laurels. Instead, at the request of the local authority, she turned her attention to another struggling local school, Christ Church North School, in Brixton, brought it into partnership with Rosendale and set it back on track.

National test results at Rosendale have almost trebled under Wendy’s leadership, and results in Brixton are also rocketing up. As one teacher, with a background in the corporate world, says of her “She could be the chief executive officer of any company!”
Wendy has radically restructured her schools’ staffing and boosted teachers’ professional development. She supports any who are struggling, but expects everyone to give their best and anyone who doesn’t try to is gently moved on.

She has also procured a range of new resources for her schools. Pupils enjoy new ICT and play equipment, and a new children’s centre is being built for young children and families. Wendy has supported both less able and gifted pupils, brought in numerous educational initiatives, revived parent-teacher associations, invested in computers, given pupils a voice through student councils, and started extra-curricular activities.

She is also a fun and charismatic leader who, as one pupil says, “before she does anything, puts us in mind.”

Her ‘soft’ federation model means that teachers work in both schools, children e-mail each other, and all 800-plus pupils share ‘off-timetable” workshop days.

The Teaching Awards judges said they had to struggle to contain the many excited colleagues and parents who literally jumped up and down as they extolled Wendy’s virtues. “She’s just not allowed to retire!” the judges were told.

Message Board

Please leave a messsage for Mrs Wendy Jacobs

• Hi!

  Hi Miss Jacobs! It's Amy from Rosendale primary school. I tipped your name Jacobs and this is what i found! Anyway see you soon Amy xxx

  Posted: January 28, 2009 at 18:01 PM | Author: Amy

• You are the best headteacher

  I just wanted to say when your leaving i just want to say thank you for being are headteacher

  Posted: July 22, 2009 at 23:07 PM | Author: yhaya

• hii Mrs Jacobs

  its so horrible that your leaving you turned our school a whole lot better

  Posted: November 25, 2009 at 16:11 PM | Author: Tasharne

• Tamara

  hi mrs jacobs is Tamara in christ church school am in yr 4 it so sad that your leaving eveyone is going to be sad they want you to stay xxx

  Posted: February 19, 2010 at 20:02 PM | Author: Tamara

• Mrs Jacobs

  Mrs Jacobs from the bottom of my heart i want to thank you for being the most loving and caring person anyone could know.I also want thank you for trying your hardest to keep the children at the school on track,i think i am speaking for the whole school you helped us in alot of ways.Mrs Jacob i am truey going to miss you and loving soul . I want to tell you thank you ut it does not feel enough. Thank you Mrs Jacobs i hope you will read this. Love from Odun from Christ Church N.B Primary School.Heres a poem i made for you.xxx

  Posted: February 20, 2010 at 12:02 PM | Author: odun

• poem

  I Appreciate You You are a person who makes life easier and better for everyone around you. Your continual acts of thoughtfulness and kindness brighten each day. What you did for us will glow in our memory, reviving pleasant feelings every time i think about it. I appreciate you, and I thank you. i would love to thank you in many way but i dont know how Love from Odun from Christ Churh

  Posted: February 20, 2010 at 12:02 PM | Author: odun

• i will miss you

  Everyone is going to miss you and i would like to say thank you for all the stuff that you have done for christ church and rosendale. xxx

  Posted: March 24, 2010 at 11:03 AM | Author: Keron

• I'll miss you

  Hi mrs Jacobs i am Domenica in Hexagons i will miss you so much when you go. YOU'RE THE BEST HEAD TEACHER EVER

  Posted: March 26, 2010 at 11:03 AM | Author: Domenica

• remember

  i remember we were waiting for are new head teacher now your going it going to be sad thank you for all the support

  Posted: March 26, 2010 at 16:03 PM | Author: lynette

• How are you?

  Hello Miss Jacobs i am from Christ Church school i hope you are ok at Devon i Hope you are having fun with your friends and family and i know this is strange telling you this but i really miss you you made our school much better and remember although your not here with us you will be in our harts. I hope you come back soon to visit us and remember if you do want to visit us our school gates will e open for you.

  Posted: May 7, 2010 at 18:05 PM | Author: Domenica