A NEW headteacher aims to develop her youngsters for jobs of the future while keeping the school as the centre of the community.

Kellie Halliday took on the role headteacher of Knayton CofE Primary School, near Thirsk, after the Christmas holidays.

She aims to build on a recent good Ofsted report achieved by the rural school which has 85 pupils to provide pupils with the best teaching she can.

She said: "We have a sense of community at Knayton. I want the community side to develop with the school.

"I really want to see this school as a 21st century learning centre preparing its children for the future jobs out there.

"The children of a small school should have the same chances as those from bigger schools."

Mrs Halliday has enjoyed spells teaching at Knavesmire Primary School, in York, Abbey Junior School, in Darlington, and Quarry View Primary School, in Sunderland.

This is her first headteacher role of a school and she takes over from Anthony Keane who is the new headteacher of Greystone Primary School, in Ripon.