THE Castle School in Thornbury has a new head teacher.
Jessica Lobbett has joined the school from Oldfield School in Bath, where she was deputy head.
She is taking over from Joe Docherty, who has been promoted to a role overseeing all four of the secondary schools in the Castle School Education Trust, which also includes Marlwood in Alveston, Downend and Mangotsfield schools.
Jessica’s teaching specialisms are music and psychology.
She said: “This is a very exciting time to join The Castle School.
“It’s clear the school coped very admirably with the impacts of covid lockdowns, and did a fantastic job in keeping students learning.
“The recovery from that period has been clearly seen in the excellent exam results at GCSE and A-level in the last two years, where performance is clearly well above national norms.
“We are very lucky to have such great students, and talented staff, in this school.
“We are also in the final year of a three-year project to modernise the buildings and facilities in the school, and although it means we are currently looking out on a building site, it will certainly be worth it.
“In September 2024 we will be opening our new sixth form block, and also a huge new science and maths block, with 21st century facilities.
“The children currently in primary school who will be the next generations of Castle students have a lot to look forward to.”
Jessica was due to meet the community and prospective new students at an open evening on October 4, from 5-7.30pm.