THE new head of Polam Hall School in Darlington, Marie Green, was at the school over the weekend to meet prospective pupils and parents at an open day.

She said when she takes over as head in January, she wants to maintain existing links with the town and build on them, through pupils going out to do voluntary work and work experience.

She said: "Developing links with the local community is very important. The school is also building bridges between independent and state schools, and I want to continue that."

Miss Green, who has more than 26 years' experience of teaching in independent schools, is currently head of the English Department at Witherington Girls' School in Greater Manchester.

She succeeds Helen Hamilton, who died in April, after 20 years at the school.