Foxdale Primary School will welcome a new Headteacher later this year.
In September, Ann Jessop will succeed Stuart Lambie MBE, the Department’s longest serving headteacher, who is retiring after a 27 years in charge of the school.
Mrs Jessopp was educated in Buckinghamshire and gained her degree from Sussex University and PGCE from Brighton Polytechnic.
After moving to the Island in 1990 she taught at Murray’s Road Junior School and Ballacottier Primary School, before being seconded to Bride Infants as acting headteacher.
She was then appointed assistant headteacher at Andreas and Bride schools before moving to Michael Primary School, where she has been deputy for the last two years.
"I will be sad to say goodbye to everyone at Michael School. I have had some very happy times working alongside great colleagues with fantastic children and supportive parents," said Mrs Jessopp.
"However, I am very excited about taking up my new position at Foxdale School.
"The school is at the heart of the community and I am looking forward to forging new relationships with the children, staff and parents."
Mrs Jessopp is married with three children, Helen, 21, Charlotte, 18, and Michael, eight. She enjoys reading, painting watercolours and getting out and about to explore the Island’s beautiful glens.
Mr Lambie started teaching at Willaston Primary School, then headed by Jack Gair, in 1972. He remained there, under the leadership of Arthur Taggart, until 1983, when he was appointed Headteacher at Foxdale Primary School.
"At that time the old Victorian building had only three classrooms and, as in other small schools, the head was almost a full-time classroom teacher," he said.
Mr Lambie said he had ‘many wonderful memories’ of his time at Foxdale, adding, "I think perhaps the most important thing that happened during my 27 years as head was that the Department decided, in the mid-1980s, to scrap the plan to close Foxdale School and build a new school in St John’s, which would have served children from Foxdale.
"Instead, the Department chose to build new schools in both villages. The opening of our new school in 1991 was a memorable occasion."
Mr Lambie said, "I was lucky enough to be awarded the MBE for services to education and the community in June 2004. I am eternally grateful to those in the village who nominated me for my award. I was proud to receive the honour, not just for myself but on behalf of my family and the whole school and Foxdale community."
Senior Adviser Martin Barrow said, "Stuart Lambie has been a highly respected, popular and energetic headteacher who, over more than a quarter of a century, has not only become synonymous with Foxdale School but has also given freely of his time to support the development of education provision on the Island.
"I know that he will be greatly missed by everyone at the school and also by the wider education community. I am sure everyone who knows him would want to join with the Department in wishing him a long, healthy and happy retirement."
