A SCHOOL in Worcester has hired a new headteacher.

Red Hill CE Primary School announced this week it had hired Jolanda Simmonds to replace outgoing headteacher Spencer Morris.

Ms Simmonds, who is currently executive head at Bayton CofE Primary in Kidderminster and St James' CofE Primary in West Malvern, will not take over straight away, however, and will join in January 2023 after serving her notice period.

In Bayton's most recent Ofsted inspection, it was graded as "Outstanding", while St James' was graded as "Good" in its inspection in 2020.

Speaking about her new role, Ms Simmonds said: "I am delighted and immensely proud to be the new head at Red Hill.

"I live locally and Red Hill has remained within my immediate community for many years. I’m excited to be working with the children, families and team of Red Hill." 

In a letter to Bayton parents, Ms Simmonds comes highly recommended, with chair of governors Lisa Cigsar writing: "When Ms Simmonds joined us, the future of our little school was uncertain, the school was in a deficit budget and many of the practices and systems within school had not been updated for many years.

"Many hard decisions had to be made to ensure the school could remain viable and ensure the very best outcomes for all our children.

"Ms Simmonds was most definitely the lady for the job.

"Today as a school we are in recovery, we no longer have a deficit, the school is going from strength to strength and our children are thriving.

"The number of children who join us in Bayton midyear are testament to our reputation, not only for the quality of teaching, but also for the nurturing environment that has been created by Ms Simmonds leadership and the team she has built around her."

In the interim period, Gary Richards, headteacher of Whittington CE Primary, will serve as acting headteacher at Red Hill in addition to overseeing his current school from September through to December.

Mr Morris told parents: "I am sure that you will give both Ms Simmonds and Mr Richards your full support when they take up their positions, and I am certain that they will be as happy and proud to be leading Red Hill as I have been."

Mr Morris announced at the end of March this year that he would leave Red Hill after 13 years.