THE newly appointed head teacher at Byley Primary School says she has big shoes to fill after 15 years of her predecessor at the helm but insists she is looking forward to the challenge.


Kay Walsh, who previously worked at Cledford Primary School as a teacher, took over from long-standing Jane Dunseath in September as Byley Primary School head teacher.


Kay says she has enjoyed her first month in charge and is looking to build up a good partnership with the schoolchildren’s parents.


Kay said: “Sometimes when you’re kind of the new kid on the block you just have to hope it gels and so far it has.


“I feel already that we are working well together and I hope it flourishes in the future because I do see it as a partnership between the school and the parents.


“I want every day to start with a smile and hopefully I can promote the ethos to the children of ‘I can do this, I can have a go.’”


As the school has less than 60 pupils, Kay will act as a teaching head teacher which will enable the school to keep small class sizes.


Kay added: “It does work well because we’re able to keep four classes in the morning and then go to three in the afternoon.


“We do have groups in the morning as small as 12 and I think it’s important to offer smaller classes like that.”


Although the new head says it is important to have smaller groups, she is determined to increase the number of children over the coming years.


Kay said: “My main aim is to build up the numbers and to be seen as a real community school and get us our name out there. 


“We may be small but I want people to recognise us and recognise how good this school is.”