THE headteacher of Cransley School is looking forward to experiencing the best of both worlds in her new role.

Geraldine Gaunt, 53, has been head of English at Cransley for eight years and wants to continue teaching while bringing new vision and ideas to the school.

She said: "The headteacher can become a remote figure but in our school it's not like that and I still do a lot of teaching.

"I have the opportunity this way to bring in ideas as head but there are things I love in the classroom.

"I thought I'd have to give up teaching but here I can have the best of both worlds."

She added: "I have had quite a lot of experience in all sorts of schools across the world so I can do this.

"I've got something to offer, I've got a vision for the place."

Mrs Gaunt said she does not want to change the school for change's sake but aims to build on the aspects that are working and take Cransley forward as a much stronger school.

She said: "We have to check all the time that we are giving the best service for parents and pupils."

Continuing with the more open style of management started by the previous headteacher is also important to Mrs Gaunt who believes everyone should share their ideas and contribute to the school.

She said: "It's not a one-person show and I'm happy to take ideas and thoughts and share things."

She added: "I've loved every minute of my time here - it's the most fantastic place to work.

"People refer to it as the 'Cransley family' because everybody here is part of the school community."