A GIRLS school near York will welcome its first female head teacher for 28 years from April.

Jessica Miles will start at Queen Margaret’s School, Escrick, from April 1, following on from three male heads.

Mrs Miles, an Oxford graduate who has taught at Dulwich, Sherborne and is currently Deputy Head at Leweston School in Dorset, said she was honoured and delighted by the appointment.

to have been appointed Head of Queen Margaret's. During my visits to QM I have been struck by the positive atmosphere, warmth and vibrancy of the school and its community, and I am very much looking forward to moving to Yorkshire with my family and getting to know the girls, parents and the staff. '

Emma Carnegie-Brown, chair of Governors at QM, said: "The governors are delighted to have appointed Mrs Miles and I know that she has a clear understanding of our ethos and will bring a wealth of experience, vision and commitment to maintain our excellent academic and pastoral standards."