Published at 11:07, Thursday, 21 July 2011

A GROUNDBREAKING arrangement has been put in place for the new head teacher of a South Copeland primary school.

Captain Shaw’s C of E School in Bootle is set to get a new executive head in September when Deborah Jones leaves the school after three years.

The position will see Seascale Primary School’s Gillian Hartley appointed and shared with the Main Street primary.

Mrs Hartley will effectively be in a management position at the school two days a week and will create a position for a new teacher at Captain Shaw’s.

Rev James Thomas, chair of governors at Captain Shaw’s, said: “It’s a very positive step for the school and we’re very excited about the possibilities.

“We’re very pleased to announce Gillian Hartley is our new head, she is a new head teacher mentor for this area.”

Captain Shaw’s is among Cumbria’s smallest schools, with just 19 pupils this year.

Mr Thomas said the new role would help improve links with other schools.

He said: “Both schools will have a closer relationship because of the executive head which is very exciting.

“There will be a new teaching position, in the past we’ve had a head who has divided time between teaching and administration.

“It’s a good opportunity for someone who will be given a fairly senior role teaching, we are interviewing at present.”

Mr Thomas said the move was not a sign the school would be closed, despite its small pupil numbers.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk