NEW year will see a new head teacher take the helm at Wellesley Park Primary School in Wellington.

Long-standing head Lindsay Gabriel, who has been absent from the school since Easter, has stepped down from the role because of ill-health.

The school, which became part of The Castle Partnership Trust at the start of this month, is being led over the autumn term by interim head Joanna Dentith from Uffculme Primary School.

Sarah Watson, the trust’s executive head, said: “The school is sad to report that Miss Gabriel, after a period of ill health, decided she needed to have some time for herself and her family.

“The Castle Partnership Trust is fortunate to have an excellent relationship with the Uffculme Trust which has lent us the very able Mrs Dentith from Uffculme Primary.

“Mrs Dentith has taken her school from Special Measures to Good with Outstanding features in a very short space of time and is leading the school in the interim. An advert for a new head teacher is going out shortly.”

In a letter to Wellesley Park parents Ms Watson wished Miss Gabriel well and hoped a rest would give her time for a speedy recovery and that she returns to education soon.

Rachel Mollett was appointed acting head at the school during the summer term but has since taken up a permanent appointment as head of a primary school in London.

Ms Watson added: “Wellesley Park brings a new dimension to the trust and we are really looking forward to building a superb provision that ensures children make excellent transition into secondary school at Court Fields.”