THE new headteacher of a rural primary school said she hopes to drive the school to outstanding status and build on pupil numbers.

Michelle Norris, who took up the post of headteacher at Ingleby Greenhow Primary School in September, said she was excited to take the school forward.

She said: "The school has just 35 children so it has a really lovely, family feel. I would like to try and grow our numbers though to keep it sustainable for the future.

"One of the selling points to this amazing school is the beautiful surrounding its is set in and we want to maximise on our outside space.

Now, as a whole school, we go outdoors on Friday afternoons whatever the weather as part of our Forest School activities.

"We do den building and make fires, and the children love it. We want to try and give them experiences and meet their needs as individuals. At a small school like ours, it is possible for me to greet every child as they come to school which is really lovely.

"We also have the opportunity to mix the older and younger pupils when they are taking part in outdoor learning, which benefits all of them."

Ingleby Greenhow is a Church of England School, which enjoys strong links with the local church of St Andrews.

Ms Norris added that being a small school enables it to develop excellent relationships with the local and wider community.

The school has launched at new website: https://www.inglebygreenhow.n-yorks.sch.uk.