Dream to work at Burnley village school comes true for newly appointed headteacher Fran

She joined the staff as deputy head at Read St John's C of E Primary School four years ago and has now taken over the reins as headteacher.

"This is a lovely village school, I always wanted to work here," said Fran, who lives in Simonstone.

A student at Simonstone Primary School, Fran attended the former St Hilda's RC High School for Girls before continuing her studies at Burnley College. She later joined the police force before resuming her studies in preparation for university at Nelson and Colne College.

Fran completed her teacher training at Edgehill University and her first teaching post was at Daisyfield Primary School in Blackburn. She later worked at Casterton Primary School in Burnley before her appointment as deputy head at Read. She has been acting headteacher since January, taking over the reins from Mr David Smith.

Mr Smith taught at Read for 25 years and for 10 of those he was headteacher.

Continuing to raise the attainment of pupils and developing the outdoor area at the school in Straits Lane are high on the agenda for Fran.

Mum to Elle (24) 11-year-old Oliver and Edward, who is six, Fran lives with her partner Andrew Watson who is also a teacher at The Radclyffe School in Oldham.

The family keep chickens as pets and currently have seven on their little homestead.