BOLTON School boys has made history by appointing its first female headteacher.

Susan Faulkner will lead Bolton School junior boys’ school from Easter this year.

Mrs Faulkner, aged 40, has been deputy headteacher at the school from 2011, when she joined the school and will be the first female head at the school.

She said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as head of Bolton School’s Junior Boys’ School and I look forward to taking up the reins from Easter.

“I envisage a smooth transition and aim to continue to take the school on from strength to strength. “As a parent of an 8 year old boy I understand that a boys’ school needs to offer an exciting and engaging curriculum, boosted by a strong extra-curricular and pastoral system which supports the boys in all aspects of their development.”

She added: “ My ambition is to see all of our boys grow to be the very best that they can be and this is what will continue to drive my vision for the boys’ Junior School as we look to the future."

Previous positions have included teaching in the single sex sector having been deputy head at Bury Grammar School boys' junior school for six years.

Before that the University of Durham graduate was a class teacher and leader on staff development at Stonyhurst Junion School and has been teaching for 18 years.

The mother of two who lives in Preston with hear family takes over from current headteacher Stephen Whittaker who is leaving to take up his new position as Director of Education for the Blackburn Diocese.

Mrs Faulkner said: "As for making history as the first female head of the junior boys’ school, the thought never crossed my mind, I simply had a strong belief that I would be the best candidate to lead the school as it looks forward to the next stages of its development.

"Now that you pose the question, I would say that I am truly honoured to have been given this opportunity and will strive to live up to the reputation of all former heads within the Foundation."

Head of Bolton School boys’ division Philip Britton said: “The position attracted a strong field of applicants but throughout the process Sue was the outstanding candidate.”