New head drops in

Tricia McCarthy says she wants students to achieve academically, but she believes they should also have the opportunity to take part in sporting and cultural activities.

Mrs McCarthy, 48, was welcomed by current head teacher Miles Mizon, members of staff and pupils when she visited the Utley school on Friday for a familiarisation day.

She is currently serving as a deputy head teacher at Richmond School, in North Yorkshire.

Mrs McCarthy said: "I believe academic achievement is very important as it opens the doors for opportunity.

"However, I also believe there is considerable value in having a full and active life through sports, arts and recreation.

"I believe it is important to keep fit as a healthy body keeps a healthy mind," she added.

"I have enjoyed my time at Richmond School, but I am now delighted to be appointed to Greenhead High School and look forward to starting in January."

Born and bred in Nottinghamshire, Mrs McCarthy attended secondary school in Newark and graduated from Nottingham University with a degree in English.

She began her teaching career 27 years ago as a mathematics and PE teacher at Bingham, in Nottinghamshire, followed by teaching posts at three schools in Suffolk.

Following her husband Andy's appointment as an education advisor to the North Yorkshire LEA, she took up the post of deputy head teacher at Richmond School in September 1995, and was the first North Yorkshire LEA candidate to gain the National Professional Qualification for Headship.

A keen sportswoman, she has represented Nottinghamshire in netball at junior and senior level. She also has a keen interest in dance, having performed in an amateur group while at college and then forming a group in her first school.

Mrs McCarthy will take over the reins at Greenhead in the New Year from Mr Mizon, who is retiring this summer after 17 years as head teacher. Deputy head Margaret Platts will be acting head for the autumn term.