A NEW head teacher has been appointed at a York village primary school.

Helen Pye will take over the helm at Sutton on the Forest CE School from the beginning of the summer term.

She is will take over from Andrew Buttery, who for the last two terms has served as executive head at both Crayke and Sutton on the Forest schools.

Mrs Pye, who hails from York, has been a teacher at Badger Hill since her appointment in 2000, has taught across all age ranges in the school and has served as deputy head for the last six years and during this time she also served two terms as acting head.

During her tenure in York, Mrs Pye has been actively involved in a range of initiatives, which have sought to raise the school’s profile and position the school at the heart of the local community.

She has served as pastoral lead, working closely with children and their families.

Furthermore, she has helped to lead the school through significant change, involving not only considerable growth in student numbers, the development of a distinct multi-cultural profile, and the establishment of Badger Hill School as a partner in a Pathfinder Multi-Academy Trust.

This particular trust represents a partnership of Church and Community Schools that is strongly focused toward School improvement, and seeks to raise children’s aspirations through high quality teaching and learning.

When asked about her new role, Mrs Pye said: “I am thrilled to be taking on the role of head teacher at Sutton on the Forest CE School.

"I understand how important it is, as a parent myself, to know that your child is safe, nurtured and ultimately receiving the very best teaching and learning.

"Therefore, I will strive to ensure that this continues to be embedded throughout the whole school.

"I look forward to working closely with the whole school community over the years to come, in order to build upon the many positives which are already in place.”

Stephanie Windsor, chairman of the governors at Sutton, said: “The decision to appoint Mrs Pye was indeed a unanimous choice of the governors, supported by both the local authority and the diocese after a rigorous selection process over two days.

"The governing body are looking forward to working closely with Mrs Pye as she leads the school into a bright and exciting future, ensuring that all the pupils are provided with the very best education possible.”

Sutton on the Forest School last had an Ofsted inspection in 2013 when the school was rated as good across the board with an outstanding rating for pupil behaviour and safety.