THE head teacher at a York primary school has set out her vision for the future.

Jo Sawyer took over from Andrew Calverley as the head at Park Grove School when he retired last year.

Born and raised in York – Miss Sawyer is from Acomb and went to St Paul’s CE primary and Manor CE secondary school – she started her teaching career at the old Our Lady’s RC primary in Acomb, before becoming deputy head at Norton primary in Ryedale. She then moved abroad and spent five years as head teacher of Doha College – an international school teaching the British national curriculum in Qatar.

Miss Sawyer said she had been looking to come back to York and made the decision when the Park Grove headship was advertised.

She said: “It’s a fantastic school. I think it’s the community environment, there’s a real family feel and I love the fact that the parents are always in and they are really involved in the children’s education.

“You talk to the children and they are confident, they are proud of the school and they are happy.”

With about 263 children in school and waiting lists to join, Miss Sawyer said part of the school’s popularity is down to the creative atmosphere built up by Mr Calverley, and which is something she hopes to build on.

She said: “When I started I asked all the staff, governors, children and parents to help me create a vision for the school, a mission and core values. Everyone was involved and wrote down their ideas which we distilled. They now feature on our new website.

“We have also started doing enrichment days in school where the children work on a topic, moving around school doing different activities.

“Before Christmas the Key Stage 2 children dressed as tutors, we had a big banquet and they took part in jousting on space hoppers.”

Miss Sawyer said the school has also increased the number of PEA lessons on the timetable as well as all Key Stage 2 youngsters now having swimming lessons.

She said: “At Park Grove the atmosphere is different from a lot of other schools, it’s quite unique really.”