New headteacher aims to inspire at Burnley primary school

Mrs Sue Cornwell who is the new headteacher at St Stephen's Cof E Primary School with chair of govenors Philip Lombard and pupils.

It is what she has wanted to do from her earliest days, following in the footsteps of her auntie, and she wants her enthusiasm to inspire those in her charge

As the newly appointed head, Mrs Cornwell intends to make at St Stephen’s CE School, Burnley, an Ofsted-rated “Good” school after inspectors suggested that improvements were needed.

She officially takes up her role on February 1st but has been a familiar figure at the Woodgrove Road school since September when she joined the staff as associate head.

“Making a difference to children’s lives is what brought me into teaching,” she said. “It’s giving them an enjoyable experience of primary education and having the standards high.”

Currently, 203 children are on the roll at St Stephen’s, divided into seven classes. Teachers are aided by more than a dozen assistants.

“I want to get settled down and to get to know everyone well,” said Mrs Cornwell. “We’re on a journey to the good, and it is going to be a challenge to the staff.”

After graduating from Manchester in 1992 Mrs Cornwell began her teaching career at the St Maria Goretti Catholic Primary School in Preston and went on to be deputy head at Lancaster Lane Primary school in her home town of Leyland.

She and her husband, Graham, will continue to live in Leyland where their children, Joseph (12) and Lily (9) are happily settled in school.