Tributes have been paid to the “dedicated” and “formidable” superhead Amanda Phillips who died yesterday. Phillips, chief executive of the Paradigm Trust, died after suffering fatal head injuries from a fall while on holiday in France. David Willis, chair of the trust, said in a statement: “Amanda’s death is a dreadful tragedy. She led Paradigm Trust with enormous energy, tremendous skill and most of all an enduring passion to give every child an outstanding education.” Phillips, 62, was known as one of former education secretary academy leaders. She was made a CBE in 2015. Tributes have flooded in from the sector today. Dame Rachel de Souza, chief executive of the Inspiration Trust which Phillips helped found, described her as a “dedicated teacher”. “Amanda was one of our founding trustees and her educational expertise was formative in our approach to our very first academies, particularly Great Yarmouth Primary and Norwich Primary. I am devastated – Amanda was an inspirational school leader – a truly wonderful person – my heart goes out to her family — Michael Gove (@michaelgove) “She remained a good friend to the Inspiration Trust and we have been pleased to see her supporting education in our region with Paradigm’s sponsorship of two academies in Ipswich. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends.” Toby Salt, chief executive of the Ormiston Academies Trust, tweeted: “How very very sad. A formidable woman, CEO and impressive head. My thoughts with her family, friends and her Trust.” Willis added Phillips will be “missed so much by everyone”, before added the trust is working on contingency plans with further announcements to be published in due course.
Dame Reena Keeble 1 June 2017 Gutted to hear the sad news about Amanda Phillips. She always remained true to her beliefs, wanting nothing but the best for her students. What a loss.
2 June 2017 She was a great headmaster of education she was running three school all off them was doing excellent we missed her excellent job she was done she will be in our heart remembering her
She rice 2 June 2017 So sad and yes she was a good teacher and had really stated to make a change at Murryfield ipswich she will be sadly missed