A REBRAND could be in order for a York secondary school in the New Year, according to a city education chief.

Cllr Janet Looker, cabinet member for education on City of York Council, has suggested that Canon Lee School in Clifton might even think about changing its name in a bid to make a fresh start.

She was speaking after the recent departure of head teacher Christine Holbrey who stepped down earlier last month after two years.

A letter to parents said Miss Holbrey had left "after a difficult period for her personally that has included the death of her mother".

Cllr Looker said that the school's exam results took a dip in the summer and it needs a confidence boost.

She said: "I think Canon Lee needs a rebrand. What I think we need to do in the new year is to work promptly and quickly with the governors to support a different image and may be a name change? But that is very much in the hands of the governing body who are a very capable group of people.

"It worked in Acomb when York High was born out of the former Lowfield and Oaklands Schools and I think in some years the opportunity was not taken many years ago when Canon Lee was created from two schools. I think the school's in good shape but we need to stem the drift and we need to create a very confident school for the future."

Cllr Looker said the school will be advertising for a new head moving forward, but in the mean time one of the school's current deputy heads Frances Johnston is acting head teacher for the foreseeable future she said the school will continue to be supported by Tricia Head, a York Head, as consultant head teacher one and a half days a week until the end of the summer term.

The school's chairman of governors, Alan Lodge, has also said other members of the senior leadership team and all members of staff will be working hard to ensure that Canon Lee "continues to seek to offer your children the best possible environment in which their talents can develop to the full".

Ms Johnston said: "Following the departure of Miss Holbrey, it ends a year of uncertainty for Canon Lee School and with the full support of City of York Council, staff now feel that they can focus clearly on the core business of the school which is our tremendous students. We have already begun to strengthen our relationship with parents and the local community and are currently surveying parents about a number of topics, one of which is the school brand.

"Canon Lee is very much a school on a journey of improvement, with staff, the governing body and the students themselves fully on board and confident for the future."