THE new head Bolton School's Junior Girls’ School says she has 'come home'.

Carol Laverick had already taught at Hesketh House towards the start of her teaching career from 1992 to 1999 and both her parents attended Bolton School.

She took up her post at the beginning of the 2016 Spring Term and hit the ground running as she faced a school inspection within the first five weeks of being in position.

Mrs Laverick said: “It has been very busy, very exciting and very enjoyable. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and helpful – the girls, their parents and teachers - and already I feel very much at home.

"It has been nice to meet up again with one or two old colleagues as well as getting to know current girls, parents and staff.

"One thing that is new to me is ‘habits of mind’ and I have been really impressed with the skills that the girls are developing and how this is very much embedded in the school’s ethos.”

Mrs Laverick – a self-proclaimed Bolton girl – gained a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Edinburgh and worked at St Nicholas School in Fleet, Hampshire before working as a class teacher in Bolton School Junior Girls’ School, where she rose to become second mistress.

She then spent 16 and a half years as head of Westholme Junior School before moving back to Hesketh House.

Looking towards the future, Mrs Laverick says no wholesale changes are needed at the school.

She said: "I hope to maintain the amazing reputation that the school has in the local area.

"While we select academically able girls, we also look for girls with other skills and attributes.

"With iPads and cutting-edge technology we are well equipped for the future but we also ensure girls are grounded in traditional values of hard work, dedication and respect for others.

"I have also been particularly impressed with the diversity of the school and how girls celebrate one another’s successes across a wide range of activities.”