A HEADTEACHER credited with improving a struggling North Tyne middle school is leaving her role in September.

Helen Samuels was appointed headteacher of Bellingham Middle School in February after working as an acting headteacher since April 2018.

The school improved under her leadership and received a good rating from Ofsted inspectors in October last year after a 2017 inspection found that the school required improvement.

A report said Mrs Samuels was passionate, determined and dedicated.

“She leads by example and is very clear that everything the school does has the best interests of pupils in mind,” the report added.

“She is raising the profile of the school in the community. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about her.

“Staff are also very positive and say that she always considers their workload.”

The school, was threatened with closure as part of a review of education provision across west Northumberland in 2018, but was saved after a schools adjudicator overturned the council’s decision.

In a letter to parents, chairman of governors David Grundy said the board was sad to see Mrs Samuels leave the school.

“We understand that this news may be unsettling for you; however, please know that a swift appointment will be made in the near future to ensure that strong leadership of your local middle school remains,” Mr Grundy said.