GOVERNORS of a newly-created Stockton school have announced the appointment of its headteacher.

St Mark's Elm Tree Church of England Primary School will open in September, following the amalgamation of the present Elm Tree Community Infant School and St Mark's CE Primary, in Fairfield.

Janet Appleby, presently head of St Mark's, will be headteacher of the new school.

Welcoming the appointment, the Reverend June Thomas, chairwoman of the temporary governing body, said: "Mrs Appleby is a person with great vision and dedication and will be a tremendous asset to the new school.

"She has quietly won the confidence of parents and staff alike, becoming well- known and highly-respected in the local community, and popular with her colleagues.

"Her leadership skills are second to none, and her management was highly commended by Ofsted inspectors when she led St Mark's through a very good inspection in 1999."

The merger of the schools has been prompted by changes in the make-up of the population, which has resulted in lower numbers of children in the younger age groups. The number of children at the combined schools is expected to drop from 270 today, to 210 by 2004.

The new voluntary aided school will continue to operate on both sites, although the long-term plan is to concentrate on enlarging buildings at St Mark's in 2003.

No decision on the future of Elm Tree is expected for some time.