HEMPLAND Primary School 's new headteacher will be Zoe Lightfoot, who steered Haxby Road Primary Academy around from 'special measures' to its 'good' rating awarded by Ofsted this year.

Paul Durham, Hempland's chair of governors, told parents in a letter that governors are delighted to confirm the appointment after two national recruitment campaigns and interviews.

Ms Lightfoot said it had been a difficult decision to leave Haxby Road, but she is ready for a new challenge.

"I feel honoured to have been part of Haxby Road Primary Academy's amazing journey," she said.

" It is a source of real pride to have been able to work as a team alongside passionate and committed staff with relentless drive to raise aspirations.

"We have a school community with wonderful children, parents and carers who work in positive partnership with us every day and with tireless support of school governors and the Ebor Academy Trust."

She added: " Joining a new school community to work alongside a great team with exciting goals and challenges is a real privilege and I am looking forward to beginning my new role in September.

Richard Ludlow, chief executive of Ebor Academy Trust, said: "Zoe has done a brilliant job at Haxby Road and we wish her well for the future.

"The Haxby Road position is being advertised within Ebor and we can assure parents and carers of a smooth transition from September, either with an internal appointment or with an interim postholder – one of our National Leaders of Education or one of our four executive headteachers."