A RYEDALE primary has two reasons to celebrate - the appointment of a new head teacher and a “good” Ofsted report.

Gillamoor C of E Primary School has welcomed Andrea Hayes to its top job, as education inspectors rate the village school “good” after their inspection in July.

Ms Hayes said one of her first jobs was to carry on the school’s successful introduction of a wrap-around care project, which helps working parents who may struggle with balancing working hours alongside picking up and dropping off their children.

Ms Hayes, who previously worked for the North Yorkshire County Council School Improvement Service, as a school improvement advisor, said: “As a working parent, I remember the difficulties that can occur when juggling pick up and drop off with working patterns and want to help to make this easier for our parents.”

The Ofsted report stated the primary school is a “happy, friendly school where every pupil is an individual” and “pupils’ behaviour is exemplary”, which Ms Hayes is hoping to build upon.

“I am excited to build on the broad opportunities that the pupils already experience,” she added.

Jane Harper, chairman of school governors, said: “Gillamoor believes that it takes a village to raise a child, and the constant support we receive ensures our children have incredible opportunities and plenty of out of school experiences.

“Our children all have the opportunity to represent their school in sports and we offer whole school swimming, we seriously punch above our size in the cluster sporting competitions.”

The school aims to create a secure and happy school community in which each child acquires a firm foundation in all aspects of their development, following the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the National Curriculum.

Ms Harper added: “We know that Andrea is going to add an enormous amount of value and energy to the school and we are very excited for the future of Gillamoor.”