New Head takes the helm at Baldersby St James

A new headteacher has been appointed at Baldersby St James Church of England Primary School.

Steff Brown, who has been Head of School at Baldersby St James since October 2019 and will officially take the helm as Headteacher from September 2020.

Steff started her teaching career on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire border after graduating from Bishop Grosstesste College, Lincoln. Having moved frequently in her earlier career due to her husband’s job in the RAF, Steff and her family finally settled in North Yorkshire and she took up a teaching post at Forest of Galtres Primary School.

Steff has taught across the primary age range and worked for North Yorkshire County Council as a lead teacher for curriculum development, supporting other primary schools, particularly small schools, with school development. She has also mentored many trainee teachers and newly qualified teachers (NQTs) and is a facilitator for National Professional Qualification programmes for senior and middle leaders.

The change of leadership is not the only change the school has seen recently. As part of the Hope Sentamu Learning Trust, the primary school now benefits from shared resources, staffing and expertise across the Trust.

Steff has already been working very closely with colleagues from the Trust on projects to improve the school. One such improvement is the transformation of the school’s outdoor space, which will be the focus for the school’s forest school programme.

Steff says “We’re developing the forest school programme for the autumn term 2020 with team building, supporting mental wellbeing and developing resilience as a focus. As a small rural school, we’re incredibly lucky to have large grounds which now include a calming reflective garden for yoga, collective worship and picnics, raised beds for gardening, a green house and an orchard with mature apple, cherry, damson and pear trees. We’re also really lucky to have a beautiful school building which is a mixture of the original Victorian structure and a modern extension where the main classrooms are located.

“I’m very excited to take up the Head’s role at Baldersby St James. It’s a small and friendly school, where we get to know the children really well, and it is a school which has been at the heart of the community for over 160 years. I’m committed to maintaining and building the relationship with the village and the local church. With the support of Hope Sentamu Learning Trust, I am also determined to give the children the very best education and school experience that we can.”

Steff and the team at Baldersby St James will be showcasing the changes at the school at an open event for parents and their children who are either looking at starting or changing school. The event, which will follow social distancing rules, will be held on Monday 20 July from 2.00-4.00pm. All are welcome to look round and there is no need to book.

There are some places at the school for September 2020.

9 July 2020