A NEW head teacher is preparing to take over the helm of one of York’s top state secondary schools.

Lorna Savage will succeed Steve Smith as head teacher of Fulford School when he retires at the end of August.

The school is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and Ms Savage becomes the school’s fifth head and the first woman to take the top job.

The new head has taught at the 1,354-pupil school since 1996 in various roles. Since 2007, she has been associate head teacher, which has meant she has stood in for Mr Smith on several occasions, most notably during a period of transition at Millthorpe School when Mr Smith stepped in as acting head and Ms Savage took over the day-to-day running at Fulford.

She said: “I’m very excited. Fulford is a fantastic school and a school I have been a part of for a long time.

“I have a huge amount of faith in the school, it’s an outstanding school in every sense.

“It’s the sort of school that’s got a huge heart – it’s got a great balance of academic excellence, but with a human touch.”

Ms Savage lives in York and her son and daughter, Alastair, 26, and Georgina, 24, both went to the school. She will officially take over on September 1 and in the meantime will be working with Mr Smith to ensure a smooth handover.

Looking to the future, she said: “There is a huge amount of curriculum change coming from the Government just now and implementing that well and making sure we have got excellent outcomes for all our students will be my top priority.”

The appointment followed a rigorous selection process with six shortlisted applicants attending for interview. They were involved in an all-day assessment which included facing a student panel, with representatives from each year group.

Ms Savage said: “One of the stranger questions was one asked by the students who asked what kind of animal I would be – but I am not going to disclose my answer to that one.”

Connie Cullen, chairman of the school’s governors, said Ms Savage was the unanimous choice of the selection committee and the full governing body ratified the decision the same day.

She said: “Ms Savage’s knowledge of the school will provide a smooth transition to new leadership and her vision and dynamism will help to ensure the continued success of our school. We are lucky to have such a talented, committed and experienced new head teacher.”