'Why there must be a future for rural schools'

Running a dale school is tough – particularly in a climate of cutbacks. Reporter Alex Metcalfe spoke to Gainford primary school acting headteacher Chris Riley  

A NEW headteacher has unveiled plans to improve her village school amid a looming education review.

Chris Riley took the helm of Gainford Primary School in September following the departure of Howard Blindt earlier this year. The former deputy head said her first term had gone really well and praised her staff and governors for their backing.

She added: “All the staff are really supportive – the governors and the children are working really productively and are having a great time in school.

“It has certainly helped being deputy here for quite a few years – it’s a lovely place to work and I’m proud to be acting headteacher.”

Mrs Riley joined the school ten years ago and has taken over at a time when Durham County Council is looking into education costs – with closures not off the table. Her appointment comes as eyes are also cast on changes to the government’s national funding formula due to kick in next year.

“Lots of headteachers have been getting around saying we need more funds and more money needs to be put into mainstream education – particularly for small rural schools,” said Mrs Riley.

“A lot of schools have shared leadership but a majority of schools would like to think they can maintain their own leadership structure. My hope, and what I am thinking about, is the legacy of Gainford having a school.I would like to think Gainford would have a school in future and I cannot see why that should not happen. We have to have more money in mainstream education basically.”

Before arriving in Teesdale, Mrs Riley worked in Sacriston and at Ox Close Primary School, in Spennymoor, where pupil numbers run into the hundreds. She found she had to quickly adjust to the smaller roster in Gainford.

“The fact it was a big part of the community is what swung it for me. The magic of Gainford just caught me.”

Mrs Riley’s career began in the leisure and sport industry before she began to teach swimming. She caught the teaching bug, trained at Sunderland University and set off on her new path.

“Every single day is different – you might be dealing with the blocked drains or taking an assembly. It’s such a range. At the end of the day it’s the children who put a smile on your face and make it all worthwhile.”

Gainford’s school has a good reputation for its special educational needs provision with Ofsted pointing to its one-to-one sessions with adults for its high percentage of special needs children.

Efforts to attract young families with children approaching school age are also continuing apace. These strengths were something Mrs Riley was keen to bolster.

Mrs Riley added: “We take pride in our school – a lot of people can access 30 free hours which is great. It’s getting children in before age four so they can get to know our school and staff and make friends.”

Gainford’s FoGs (Friends and Governors) continue to hold a key role through fundraising and engaging in school life. Project funding through Teesdale Action Partnership has helped enhance teaching at the school and links with St Mary’s Church also continue to be strong. Pupils have also had a say in the village’s neighbourhood plan for the future. When it came to the future, Mrs Riley said she hoped to be appointed as permanent headteacher in the coming months.

“I would like to see myself as head – we will just have to wait and see,” she added.