THE outgoing headteacher of a Darwen primary said academisation is the way forward for the school.

Laura Pooles will retire from her position at Sudell Primary School at the end of term after 13 years in the job.

Her replacement at the school — which recently announced its intention to become an academy under the Aldridge Foundation — will be Kathryn Coiffait, currently head at The Gates Primary School in Westhoughton near Bolton.

Mrs Pooles, 58, who lives in Blackburn and was previously deputy headteacher at Mount Pleasant Primary School in Clayton-le-Moors, said she will be looking after her granddaughter Gracie for two days a week as well as taking up an associate-tutor post.

She said: “It has been great working with talented staff (at Sudell) and it has been a very worthwhile experience. The children and parents are very special. I have mixed feelings as I leave. I am ready to move on to the next phase of my life but I am sad to say goodbye.”

Mrs Pooles said academisation is a positive thing. She said: “The school is going in the right direction and I am sure Mrs Coiffait will love it here as much as I have.

“I wish her all the best. I am sure the school will continue to thrive.”

Mother-of-one Mrs Coiffait, 43, has been head at The Gates for more than seven years. Previously she was a deputy headteacher in Grimsby. She began her teaching career in her home town Hull.

She said: “I have lots of ideas to share with staff and children — but we will create our plans for the school together. Everyone should have their chance to contribute to the vision as we move forward.

“I am a strong believer in a child-centred approach and am keen to focus on the ways in which we can develop the children’s roles within school and the best strategies for really engaging them in the classroom.”