Dawn is headteacher at new Burnley faith school

Dawn Forshaw, the new headteacher at the Burnley High School (s)

Mrs Dawn Forshaw has been announced as the head of school of the new Burnley High School.

Mrs Forshaw has both secondary and primary school experience, and more recently was at the helm of Wellfield Church School from 2007 until the beginning of 2014.

She previously worked at St Leonard’s CE Primary School in Padiham, where she held the roles of both assistant and deputy headteacher.

During that time she helped lead the school from failing to an Ofsted rating of outstanding.

Mrs Forshaw said: “I am delighted and excited to be part of the executive team leading the new Burnley High School.

“With several years of experience of working in local schools, I understand the importance of ensuring more children in Burnley remain in the area for education, rather than travelling to schools outside of the town.

“Burnley High School welcomes families of all faiths and no faiths and will specialise in science, technology, engineering and maths. With experience in science and sport and an economics background, I am looking forward to working with parents, children and the rest of the school’s staff to achieve high academic standards.”

Mrs Forshaw is vice-chairman of Burnley School Sports Partnership, an ambassador headteacher for the Youth Sport Trust and member of the National Headteacher Steering Group of Youth Sport Trust. She has also worked at St Paul’s in Nelson, after beginning her teaching career in the secondary sector.

Elizabeth Haddock, executive principal of Burnley High School, said: “It’s fantastic news that Dawn has been appointed as Head of School of the new Burnley High School. Her vast experience of working in the town’s schools, including helping to transform a challenging school, made her the natural choice for the role. I look forward to working with her in the run-up to the new school opening in September.”

The Express revealed last month that the preferred site for the free school, which will be run by Chapel Street Schools Trust, is the former Habergham High School in Byron Street.