A SCHOOL transformed in recent years after the tragedy of the death of their headteacher has a new face at the top.

Sytchampton Primary School was hit hard after popular headteacher Helen Mann killed herself in 2012, and Sharon Williams became headteacher and helped rebuild.

In a major move the school, in a tiny hamlet on the A449 between Worcester and Stourport-on-Severn, became a primary school, with children transferring into Worcester and Wyre Forest schools at 11 years as well as Droitwich schools at nine years.

And in the past seven years Mrs Williams also worked closely with staff as support, and helping them to take on new responsibilities.

Now Mrs Williams is moving on writing in a letter to parents and carers: "I never thought that I would be finishing my term in such circumstances but hopefully we can have a proper celebration (as planned) at a future date."

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Amanda Richards is the new headteacher, moving into the role as the pandemic struck.

Mrs Richards, who moved into teaching following a successful career in the police, says when she first visited the school she felt it would be the perfect place for her to further her career and feels it could be her "forever school" due to its family feel,

"We aim for our pupils to ‘grow’ into confident, resilient individuals who embrace challenges and strive to achieve the most aspirational goals in life," Mrs Richards said.

During lockdown staff kept pupils motivated with online learning and even on its own YouTube channel that contains PE lessons, story time and weekly assemblies.

The school's website can be found at sytchampton.worcs.sch.uk/welcome.htm.