New headteacher for Charles Dickens Primary School

News of the appointment of Mrs Buchanan was given to parents and pupils before the half-term break.

Mrs de Quincey will retire in the summer after seven years at the school.

Mrs Buchanan has been at Charles Dickens since 2008 as deputy head teacher and currently has the title 'head of school'.

"Mrs de Quincey leaves the school in excellent shape for an exciting future," said chair of governors Claire Maugham.

"She has brought about substantial improvements in teaching and learning at the school, making sure every child makes excellent progress and achieves to the very best of their ability."

Three years after the controversial closure of the section of Lant Street adjacent to the school, work is currently under way on the new landscaping of the outdoor space for learning and play.

The school received planning permission for the new layout just before Christmas and work is due for completion before Easter.

Governors said that calls from some local residents for the creation of a pedestrian route alongside the playground were unworkable.

When granting planning permission, councillors urged the school to continue dialogue with local residents.