TWO dales schools are benefitting from an unusual partnership as they are sharing a headteacher until the summer.

Janice Stobbs, who is headteacher of Toft Hill Primary School, in Teesdale, was asked to lend a helping-hand at St John’s Chapel Primary School, in Weardale, after their headteacher, Kerrie Evea, retired at Christmas.

Mrs Stobbs, who currently spends three days at Toft Hill and two days at St John’s Chapel, said both schools were benefitting from the arrangement.

She began her post this month and is expected to look after both schools until the end of the summer term while another headteacher can be found and installed.

“We have got benefits to both schools and we want to go visit St John’s as the children have a lovely environment but we also want to bring their children here to experience a bigger school,” Mrs Stobbs said.

“They are different schools and they are completely contrasted but it also means staff at Toft Hill get the experience of acting up in their roles when I am not here.”