Last updated at 13:47, Friday, 21 December 2012

The acting headteacher of Seaton Junior School has stepped down.

THANKS SIR: From left: Frazer Hewitt, Billy Challenger, Hannah Gregson and Charlotte Fleet offer leaving gifts to acting headteacher Mike Kidd

Mike Kidd, 59, of Lorton Road, Cockermouth, has led the school for the past year.

He took over after previous head Rachel Ingrams left to join Silloth Primary School.

Amanda Dickinson, currently headteacher at Egerton County Primary School in Bolton, will take over the role from January.

Mr Kidd was headteacher of Westfield Primary School in Workington until he retired in August 2010.

He will now take up a temporary role as director at Cumbria Primary Teacher Training next month.

After that he plans to spend more time with his grandchildren Amber, three, and Lilly, one.

Mr Kidd said: “I will take so many memories with me. I have had the pleasure of working with loads of talented children in sporting, music and academic subjects.

“I have had a great year at the school and it has been a joy to work with all of the staff and the 220 students.”

In June he was praised by Ofsted inspectors for his leadership when the school was graded “good” with outstanding features.

A religious inspection was also graded as outstanding.

Mr Kidd trained at Northumberland College of Education in the early 70s.

His first job as a teacher was at Camp Road School in Maryport. He was the headteacher of Broughton Primary School for nine years, deputy headteacher of Silloth Primary School for four years and headteacher of Petteril Bank School in Carlisle for three years. He also taught at St Begh’s Junior School in Whitehaven for a year.

Mr Kidd was presented with a bottle of gin and gift vouchers at a school assembly on Wednesday.

First published at 12:07, Friday, 21 December 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk