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

Catherine Precious, who is currently the head teacher at Tang Hall Primary, will take up the post at Hempland Primary Academy from September.

Both Hempland and Tang Hall primary schools are part of the Pathfinder Multi Academy Trust which also includes Archbishop Holgate’s School and seven other primaries serving more than 3,800 pupils across York.

A statement from the Trust says the appointment followed a "rigorous recruitment process" across its schools.

A national recruitment campaign has now been launched to find a new head teacher for Tang Hall.

Mrs Precious replaces Zoe Lightfoot whose departure from Hempland was confirmed earlier this month.

In a letter to parents, she said she had decided "with some reluctance" to seek future opportunities outside the Pathfinder MAT.

The announcement followed a period of absence from the school. “Whilst this has been due to personal circumstances beyond my control, it has given me a period to consider my role at Hempland and also the opportunities and ambitions the future could bring,” she wrote.

Hempland’s two deputy headteachers are providing interim leadership with the support of a senior leader from Pathfinder and the Trust’s head of primary education.

Andrew Daly, executive head teacher of the Trust, said: “We have very strong leadership in all of our schools and the governors at Hempland and I are delighted that Cath will be joining the school as its head teacher.

"She will bring a wealth of experience and a renewed focus on providing an excellent education to all pupils at Hempland.”

Rob Dixon, Hempland’s acting chair of governors, said: “I am thrilled we have been able to appoint someone with such a strong track record. Mrs Precious demonstrates the professional abilities that we were seeking, and the governing body is looking forward to working with her to continue Hempland’s progress.”

Mrs Precious has led Tang Hall since September 2013 after teaching in primary schools in Liverpool and Leeds. The school achieved some of its strongest results last summer, coming top in York for progress in writing. Tang Hall is currently rated as good with outstanding features by Ofsted.

Mr Daly added: “The interim leadership arrangements at Hempland will remain in place for the rest of the school year and ensure that the school continues to be a place where children are safe, happy and enjoy their learning.”

Ms Lightfoot was appointed at Hempland in summer 2017 after steering Haxby Road Primary Academy around from ‘special measures’ to a ‘good’ rating by Ofsted. She had previously been deputy head at St George’s RC Primary School in Fishergate.