AN acting headteacher at a school in Taunton has been appointed to the post full time.

Lisa Webber takes up the position at The Taunton Academy with immediate effect.

Ms Webber, who had been acting head since September, was previously deputy head at Gordano School, an Ofsted rated 'outstanding' school in Portishead.

She takes over from John Eddy, who left last year to join Kingsmead School, in Wiveliscombe.

Ms Webber said: "I am honoured to be given this opportunity to continue the work we have started in recent months.

"We have enjoyed record results, improved behaviour, increased extra curricular and enrichment opportunities, recruited an excellent and expert staff in a time of national teacher shortages, and reached our limit with the new Year 6s joining Year 7 in September.

“It is a truly exciting time for our school, and I can’t wait to get stuck into our next priorities.

"Watch this space – we’ve got lots more to come.”

John Abbot, chief executive of the Richard Huish Trust, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Lisa Webber as the new headteacher of Taunton Academy.

"In the short time she has worked at the school she has already had a huge positive influence, making a number of key changes that have further improved things for the pupils of the school.

“We are confident that Lisa will be a highly effective head teacher and are looking forward to her delivering her plans for the school, which include an exciting community engagement project about the future of the school.”

Jade Renville, chairman of Richard Huish Trust, said: “After two days of interviewing, we have appointed Lisa Webber as the new permanent head teacher in what was an extremely rigorous selection process.

"I know from our conversations with Lisa that she is extremely excited about taking up this new challenge and continuing to work alongside Huish colleagues.”

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