An infant school in Harrogate is seeking a new leader to replace its outgoing headteacher.
Zoe Anderson, who has been at Oatlands Infant School since 2018, is moving away from the area and the school is now looking for its next head.
In a job description posted on its website, the school said:
“Our outgoing headteacher has built a high-performing, popular and purposeful school, which offers a very exciting prospect for her successor.
“You’ll join a school in great health, with strong systems, a thriving culture, and shared expectations of support and accountability.”
A website set up to recruit the new head describes the school as being “in an enviable position to embark on our next chapter with excitement and curiosity”.
It refers to the challenges of finance and says the school does not want to compromise its standards because of stretched budgets.
The site also refers to the next Ofsted inspection being “likely before the end of this academic year” – the last, in 2013, rated the school ‘outstanding’ – and says the new head would lead the response to its outcomes.
Oatlands Infant School is part of the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, along with six other primary schools in the Harrogate district and one in Skipton, and St Aidan’s Church of England High School.
The school was last month awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark, recognising its work to be inclusive of people regardless of their background.
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Deputy headteacher Kathryn Haddon said Mrs Anderson had made a “significant impact” since she joined the school.
She particularly highlighted improvements to the school building, including a new reception area, and developing stronger links with Oatlands Junior School.
She also said Mrs Anderson had developed the school’s vision of ‘Nurtured + Inspired = Happy’ and had delivered a legacy of wellbeing for staff, children and their families.
Miss Haddon added:
“On a personal note, I will miss her wisdom, guidance and friendship. I speak on behalf of everyone here at Oatlands Infant School in wishing her the very best as she sets off on a new and exciting adventure on the Isle of Skye.”
