WHEN Sally Staley became headteacher of Alcester Infants School four years ago, she had responsibility for 170 children and 16 members of staff.

In just four months' time those figures will have increased to 385 and 32 respectively as the school merges with St Faith's to become St Nicholas CE Primary School, Alcester.

It will be a brand new school with a brand new identity - and a whole new set of challenges.

There have already been staffing issues to deal with as well as parents, governors, uniforms and buildings.

These are exciting, though challenging, times.

Mrs Staley is not worried about the numbers - her two previous schools were bigger still - but she is concerned about making a smooth transition from two schools to one and while looking to the future, not forgetting the past.

She said: "It's exciting, though there is obviously a lot of hard work involved and lots of challenges.

"The uncertainty affected all the staff quite badly. I knew how I felt having to go through the interview and thinking about what I was going to do if I hadn't got the job.

"Once I'd gone through that process, the following term was very much for the staff and helping them to secure a position in the new school. This term it's curriculum and buildings."

Mrs Staley was born in Marston Green, Solihull, 49 years ago and has lived in that area all her life, though is now considering moving closer to Alcester.

Her roots, however, are thousands of miles away in Sydney, Australia.

Both her parents emigrated to England independently and married here, though the rest of their families remained down under.

"It was my father's dream that we should all have a Christmas together in Australia and although he didn't live to see it happen, it is something I would still like to do," she said.

Her husband, Derek, is an accountant. They have two daughters, Jenna and Anna, and a new grandson, Jack.

Outside school, she enjoys walking, working out at the gym and watching Birmingham City play.

"I don't get to go and watch them as often as I would like but my gym has televisions on the equipment and recently I cycled for 90 minutes while watching the match," she said.

Back at school, she enjoys being with the children and is looking forward to eventually being able to return to the classroom.