THE New Year will see a new headteacher at Wellesley Park Primary School in Wellington.

Carly Wilkins, 35, a mother of two and a former headteacher at Minerva Primary School at Halcon in Taunton, was appointed last week.

“After a demanding two-day interview, I was thrilled when I heard I had been successfully appointed,” she said.

Carly has spent most of her career in Sedgemoor, starting out as a teacher at Hamp Academy and working her way up to assistant head in the space of ten years.

More recently she has worked for Chard-based The Redstart Learning Partnership, a multi-academy trust of eight primary schools.

Carly spent about two years at Minerva before going on maternity leave and is currently assistant head at Holy Trinity Primary School in Taunton.

She said: “I want to make Wellesley Park a school that everyone is proud of – children, parents and the local community. It is really important to me that we all work in partnership to enable our children to flourish and reach their full potential. I believe children should feel welcome, inspired, safe and supported when they are learning.

“I have worked in a variety of schools in Somerset which have undergone intensive change and have made remarkable improvements. I’m planning to improve the quality of provision, as well as widening opportunities for the pupils of Wellesley Park. In partnership with the trust, I will also look at improving the premises to make sure it’s a nice, inviting environment for the children to be in.”

Carly has two daughters, one aged five and the other 11 months, and likes to spend time with them at weekends and during school holidays. She has also recently re-joined the gym and after learning how to play the piano as a youngster is re-learning the instrument with her eldest child.

Wellesley Park became part of the Castle Partnership Trust at the start of September and its chief executive Sarah Watson said: “I am delighted that we have been able to recruit someone of Mrs Wilkins’ calibre. She has an outstanding record, coming from the Redstart Trust, one of the leading primary trusts in the South-West.”

Joanna Dentith, from Uffculme Primary School, has been interim head this term and Ms Watson added: “Mrs Dentith and Mrs Wilkins are working closely together to ensure stability and a smooth transition, and that the significant improvements brought about by Mrs Dentith continue and Wellesley Park is re-established as the best primary school in Somerset.”

Wellesley Park’s previous head teacher Lindsay Gabriel stepped down because of ill-health at Easter.