THE headteacher of a Basingstoke secondary school, which has made great progress under her leadership, has said she will continue to support it when she leaves next year.

Krista Dawkins has been running The Vyne School since January, but will leave at the end of the academic year, next August – not in January as was reported in last Thursday’s Gazette. However, because the school in Vyne Road, South View is now staying under Local Education Authority control, rather than converting to an academy, she will be able to carry on offering support.

The Vyne was going to convert to a sponsored academy, run by Basingstoke College of Technology and Queen Mary’s College, but because of its improved results and better Ofsted reports, governors decided against the move as there is no longer pressure from the Department for Education for it to convert.

The school was put in special measures by Ofsted in November 2010, but Mrs Dawkins, who is also head at Crestwood College for Business and Enterprise, in Eastleigh, said it has completely transformed since she, and before her Julie Churcher, took over as acting heads.

She added: “The Vyne does need a permanent headteacher but not until the next academic year. Until then, they have my absolute committed support. And my support won’t stop after that.

“I will continue to support the school in whatever way I can. It has transformed and had a facelift. We have worked hard to give this school the image it deserves, and I would be proud to send my own children here.”