Burnley headteacher says farewell

Burnley’s first “free” school, which is currently building a new home, had been led by Mrs Dawn Forshaw since it was founded in September 2014.

Students said goodbye to the headteacher who helped set up their school at an emotional farewell.

Mrs Forshaw was presented with gifts and flowers on behalf of governors, staff and pupils during an end of term assembly.

Chairman of the school’s governors Jeff Brunton paid tribute to Mrs Forshaw’s vision in helping see the free school come into being.

He said: “Quite simply, without her there would not have been a Burnley High School.”

Mrs Forshaw, who is leaving to become head of a school in Bolton, told the gathering: “It was not an easy decision but the staff is in place here to take this school on to the next level.”

The new headteacher is Mrs Vicky Povey who has been working with Mrs Forshaw since the school was set up 19 months ago.

The new school building – due to open next Easter – is being built on the site of the now demolished Habergham High School by Eric Wright Construction.

The firm has been awarded a multi-million pound design and build project to construct the two-form entry high school and sixth form at the site off Byron Street.

When completed the school will provide accommodation for 450 secondary and 200 sixth form students.