THE headteacher of the first Bury school to be closed is to resign.

Mr Ian Young (35) will leave Brandlesholme County Primary School at the end of the summer term to take up the position of headteacher of Christ Church CE Primary School, Walshaw.

Mr Young said: "Unfortunately, the LEA decision to close Brandlesholme CP School rather than amalgamate us with a neighbouring school has resulted in all staff feeling very insecure about the future.

"By opting for closure rather than amalgamation, I will not have the opportunity to continue to serve the Brandlesholme community as headteacher because my post will be made redundant when the school closes next year."

He has written to all parents to explain that he had little choice but to apply for other headship vacancies in the area.

Mr Young, who has been at the school for just 18 months, added that he would do his utmost to ensure that an experienced candidate is appointed headteacher on a temporary basis until the school finally closes its doors in July next year. Ironically, Mr Young's leadership was praised in a recent Ofsted report of the school.

The inspector for the Office for Standards in Education wrote: "The school has improved considerably since the appointment of the current headteacher, just over a year ago."

Mr Young was cited for inspiring staff, assisting the governors to be more effective in their role, and helping pupils to have pride in their achievements.

Mr Young began his teaching career at Fitton Hill Junior School, Oldham, in 1988.

In 1994 he became deputy headteacher of Christ Church Primary School, Oldham, and came to Brandlesholme in 1998.

He will replace Mrs Judith Venner, headteacher for the past five years at Christ Church Primary, who is moving to Canterbury.

Mr Young said: "I'm sad to be leaving Brandlesholme after such a short time, we could have made it such a good school. I'm looking forward to taking on the challenge of going to Christ Church and taking a good school forward to become a centre of excellence.

"I hope to develop strong partnerships with the governors, parents and the wider community of Walshaw."

Councillor Andrea Hughes, chairman of Bury Council's education and community services committee, said she was delighted that Mr Young had secured the new position.

"I wish to pay tribute to his outstanding leadership and wish him well for his future success."

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