A school which is beginning the next chapter of its life has appointed a new headteacher to steer the ship.

North Norfolk News: Mr Neenan will be attending the May Pole event May 1. Picture: Aylsham, St Michael's CofE VA Nursery and Infant SchoolMr Neenan will be attending the May Pole event May 1. Picture: Aylsham, St Michael's CofE VA Nursery and Infant School (Image: Aylsham, St Michael's CofE VA Nursery and Infant School)

St Michael's C of E in Aylsham is currently a nursery and infant school, however over the next four years, will expand its class ranges to become a primary school.

The governing body has announced that from September 1, the permanent headteacher of the school will be John Neenan.

Mr Neenan wrote in a letter to parents: 'I feel extremely honoured and privileged to have been chosen to lead such a hard-working and friendly school as it starts the next part of its already long and successful journey.

'Over the next four years, St Michael's has an exciting journey ahead growing into a primary school. It is my vision to make this a thriving setting which we can all be proud of.'

Mr Neenan has been in teaching for a decade.

He continued: 'I am lucky enough to have been in teaching for the last ten years and being a parent myself, I am very aware of the responsibility that we have to create a safe, fun environment where the highest standard of teaching and learning is achieved.'

Current headteacher Catherine McMahon will continue to lead the school throughout the summer term.

She said: 'I have every confidence that he will fill the role brilliantly and bring a breath of fresh air to St Michael's. We will, of course, be working together over the next few months to ensure that the transition goes smoothly.'

Reverend Canon Andrew Beane, chair of govenors at the school, said: 'After a rigorous selection process, in which a number of strong candidates were tested and interviewed over two days, Mr Neenan was the unanimous choice of the Governors.'

Mr Beane continued: 'We're expanding the school to give more opportunity to parents. For some children, not having the transition from infant to primary may benefit them.

'In other cases, it may work to move because siblings have done so. The Aylsham schools all believe that children are educated by a community and not one school, and the county council has come up with a way to provide admissions for Ayslahm's growing population.'