THE new head of a village primary school near Devizes is determined it will receive the ultimate accolade of being declared outstanding by Ofsted inspectors.

Candida Hutchinson has taken of the helm of Seend Primary and said: “I am determined to continue progress, maintain good  standards and improving so that we can become an outstanding school.

“Both staff and pupils and wider school community have been very welcoming. Staff care and work  hard to ensure the best for the whole child, educationally, emotionally and spiritually.”

She praised the work put in place under coronavirus restrictions to make the school as safe as possible for pupils and staff.

Mrs Hutchinson has worked in education for 27 years and has previously held head ships in both Swindon and Reading.

But more recently has been assistant primary director at the White Horse Federation.

She believes that strong phonics teaching and making sure there is adequate challenge for the most able learners will push the school from a good Ofsted rating to outstanding.

She was appointed as new head of both Seend and its sister school St George’s, Semington, in May. She takes over from Jackie Chalk, who retired after ten years in the role. Holly Chivers will remain as acting head at Seend and Emma Groom at St George’s.

Simon Cowley The White Horse Federation’s regional director for Wiltshire, said at the time of her appointment: “ During her time at The Croft Primary, another of the federation’s schools, Candida showed exceptional leadership skills opening up a brand-new school and being graded outstanding by Ofsted during the first 18 months of her headship.”

“I am looking forward to working with Candida and supporting her and the staff at Seend C of E Primary School as we build upon the school’s progress made under Mrs Chalk.”