THE new head teacher at Fearns Community Sports College has said this year’s GCSE results will be better than last year and that she hopes to move the school out of special measures.

Helen Stead, who has been the deputy head teacher for 10 years, has taken over from acting headteacher Jo Venn at the Stacksteads school.

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The school has been in special measures since June 2014 and previous head teacher Nigel Dawson left at Christmas. Mrs Stead started her career at Edge End High School in Nelson before moving to Greenhead Grammar School in Keighley in 1996 where she was head of modern foreign languages.

She returned to Edge End in 1999 as head of modern foreign languages with additional whole-school responsibilities. In 2002 she was appointed assistant headteacher for teaching and learning and in January 2005 became deputy head at Fearns.

Mum-of-two Mrs Stead, 46, said: “I am very proud to now be the head of Fearns.

“I believe in our children and that comes from being here a long time.

“I know there is work still to be done, but with strong leadership, positivity, determination and optimism our children will receive the education they deserve.

“I was delighted and quite emotional when I was successful. I am still in a bit of shock.

“The priority is to get the school out of special measures, to continue the improvements and build on the success of the last inspections.

“This year’s GCSE results will be an improvement on last year’s .”

Cllr Christine Lamb said: “I welcome this appointment .”