New head for independent pupils

Sandra Lewis-Beckett will take up the post at Queen Mary's School, Baldersby Park, near Thirsk in September, next year.

She has previously worked in both business and education and is currently the senior mistress at Downe House, Berkshire, an independent girls boarding school where she has taught since 2007. She succeeds Robert McKenzie Johnston who retires in July.

She said: "I am very much looking forward to coming to take up the role.

"What impressed me immediately about Queen Mary's was the terrific sense of comm- unity."

Mrs Lewis-Beckett, 41, has had a successful career in retail and international banking before training as a teacher.