BELLINGHAM Middle School pupils and staff are heading back after Christmas for their first term with a newly-appointed headteacher.

Rebecca Simpson has been acting headteacher since November 2015 and last month was appointed permanently after a rigorous process involving interviews by pupils.

The pupil forum, made up of two children from each class equalling 10 children and an extra four in the executive group, took on the task of interviewing the two final candidates.

Mrs Simpson said: “It was really interesting to be interviewed by them as I was used to working with the pupil forum, but it was quite a formal process and they had some really challenging questions to ask about my vision for the school. It also helped me get an insight into what they were looking for and what they would like to do.

“I was over the moon; really delighted to get the job. I really love the school. We have amazing children who are all very interesting, come from different areas and have different interests, and a set of staff who tie together really well.”

After a rigorous process involving assemblies, presentations, monitored teaching and chats with parents, the governing body took the children’s comments on board before making a final decision.

Trish Taylor, chairman of governors, said: “The children gave their comments afterwards and they asked very intelligent and challenging questions such as ‘what are you going to do for the school?’ and ‘how are you going to do it differently?’”