ONE of Craven's most successful primary schools is struggling to appoint a new headteacher.

Cracoe and Rylstone District County Primary School, which achieved flawless results in the recent year six national attainment tests, has advertised in two national newspapers and in the Craven Herald without success.

Previous headteacher Pat Harrison retired after 17 years at the beginning of January.

Acting headteacher Susan Hirst told the Herald: "In the league tables we came out with a 100 per cent success rate so this is a very successful Dales school, but we're just not getting the staff."

She added: "I know some other schools in North Yorkshire are experiencing the same situation."

Staff and pupils at the school are still adjusting to the loss of Mrs Harrison.

"We shall miss her greatly at the school. She was just a very successful headteacher who motivated the children with her enthusiasm. She was an exceptional teacher of maths and her art work was admired by all in the area," said Mrs Hirst.

Meanwhile, at Easter, pupils at Gisburn, High Bentham, Langcliffe and Skipton's Parish Church schools will say farewell to their headteachers.

Gisburn head Jackie Hargreaves is retiring after 23 years at the school while Langcliffe's Hilary Macorison is moving on to new challenges after 18 years in the village.

In High Bentham head Jonathan Brown is due to take up an appointment as an educational advisor with Northumberland education authority.

Mr Brown said: "I will be working in continuing professional development looking at training issues involving governors and teaching assistants.

"I will very much miss being in the classroom because I am very pupil orientated. However adult training has its own rewards."

Mike Latham, headteacher at Parish Church School, is moving to take on the headship at Newby Primary School in Bradford.

He has spent 16 years in North Yorkshire at Ings in Skipton, Cowling and Parish Church School.