THE village school hit by the death of its headteacher earlier this month has taken steps to appoint an acting head.

Sytchampton Endowed First School, near Worcester, has announced that Gill Deakin will take over after the death of Helen Mann.

The school says it now hopes to continue to move forward and provide a high quality and standard of education for its pupils.

Mrs Deakin, who has experience as an early years adviser for Worcestershire County Council and previously occupied a similar role at another county first school, said she was looking forward to carrying on Sytchampton’s good work.

“During my first few days at the school I was impressed with the positive and welcoming atmosphere.

“I have found the children to be happy, self-confident learners, the staff are dedicated and enthusiastic role models and it was obvious how much support for the school there is from the parents, governors and the wider community.

“I look forward to working together with the school team to maintain the school’s outstanding performance,” said Mrs Deakin.

Children and staff are now preparing for an open morning which will be held on Thursday, Decem-ber 6, from 9.30am to 11.30am. During the morning, year four pupils will be offering guided tours of their school.

Mrs Mann was found hanged in her office at the school following a teacher training day.

The school is in a tiny hamlet and caters for children aged between four and nine and achieved two outstanding Ofsted reports following inspections in 2006 and 2009.

Mrs Mann took up the post in Easter.

A local headteacher, who asked not to be named, had previously been supporting the school.

Educational psychologists were also used to offer support to pupils, parents and staff, including coping mechanisms to help the pupils with the incident.

Mrs Mann, aged 43, is understood to have hanged herself in the school on Monday, November 5.

An inquest into Mrs Mann’s death has been opened and adjourned.

For more information about the school’s open morning, call 01905 620418.