THE head teacher of a rural Herefordshire secondary school has been selected for a top role supporting schools in challenging circumstances.

Sue Gaston, from Fairfield High School in Peterchurch, is one of 107 head teachers across the country to be appointed to the role of National Leader of Education (NLE) this year.

NLEs along with staff in their school – designated a National Support School – use their success and professionalism to provide additional leadership capability in other schools.

Mrs Gaston said: “Fairfield already works in partnership with several schools and we are delighted that this has been formally recognised by the National College.

"This will give us the capacity to offer more opportunities to our own staff and students and those in other schools."

The school is also celebrating its academic success after being recognised for excellence by the Department for Education for the third year running.

Previous years have seen the school’s high GCSE results and outstanding progress place Fairfield in the top 100 non-selective state schools in England.

However, this year Fairfield has been congratulated by schools minister Nick Gibb for three separate entries into the top 100 list – for GCSE results, progress and the number of students achieving the English Baccalaureate.

The minister described the 'fantastic progress' made by students and congratulated the staff for their 'hard work and professionalism'.

Mrs Gaston said: "We are delighted that the tremendous hard work of our staff and students has been recognised again by the Department for Education.

"At Fairfield we aim for everyone to achieve their personal best and we celebrate success both in and out of the classroom.

"The school continues to grow and develop so that we can create new and exciting opportunities for our students and staff and we look forward to a successful future."