Haxby Road Primary Academy’s deputy headteacher, Laura Woodward, has been appointed Head of School from September.
The promotion comes after the current head, Zoe Lightfoot, announced last month that she would be moving to Hempland.
Miss Woodward has been at Haxby Road for four years, joining as assistant head as part of the change team when the school joined Ebor Academy Trust. For the past two years Miss Woodward has been deputy head.
Before Haxby Road, she spent eight years at an infants’ school in Airedale.
“I am thrilled to move up to be Head of School, and it will be a privilege to lead a fantastic team and continue to work with some brilliant children,” said Miss Woodward. “I’m looking forward to developing further the excellent work we do here – this really is an amazing school.”
As part of the recruitment process, Miss Woodward was interviewed by a panel made up of members of the school council. “They made it clear they wanted a head with certain qualities and someone who would promote the school’s virtues of trust, kindness and self-belief. It was a tough interview!”
Richard Ludlow, chief executive of Ebor Academy Trust, where Haxby Road Primary Academy is one of ten schools, said: “We are delighted to see Laura take the helm at Haxby Road. She brings consistency to the school and we value her expertise, particularly in early years.”
Chair of governors Rebecca Kell said: “Laura is a credit to the school and deserves her promotion. We have come a long way with Haxby Road and together we will continue to build upon the “good” rating awarded earlier this year by school inspectors at Ofsted.”
