THE new head teacher of a Kendal primary school hopes to use her experience in raising standards to propel its Ofsted rating to outstanding.

Sarah Tansey took over at the helm of Dean Gibson Catholic Primary School at the start of this term and this week outlined her plans for the school, which was rated 'good' when the education watchdog last visited in November 2011.

The 53-year-old mother-of-two left her role as deputy head at St Bernadette's in Blackpool, where she played a key role in steering improvement, to come to the Hawesmead Avenue school.

"I felt a pull towards Dean Gibson as soon as I visited," said Mrs Tansey, who trained in Ambleside. "It has a lovely family feel and each child here knows that they are special.

"I feel like the school has a name for being totally inclusive. Every child really is seen and treated as an individual which takes in wonderfully the Catholic ethos.

"I feel there is scope to move the school towards outstanding as all the elements are here with supportive parents."

Work on a new kitchen is due to start shortly and will extend the facilities already established at the school.

"The outdoor facilities are stunning," said Mrs Tansey. "We have a wildflower garden, great playing field and flower and vegetable beds tended by all the children.

"Our Learning lab houses state-of-the-art ICT facilities and is also used for a toddler group and before and after school care.

"Dean Gibson is a real gem of a primary school and is truly inclusive. I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to its further development."

Mrs Tansey, whose husband is the principal of a school in Bahrain, only has nine years of teaching experience after deciding a career change from working in a London bank.

"In the back of my mind I always thought I wanted to be a teacher but I came at it from a different route," she said.

"I have come to it late in life but I just love that wonderful moment when children respond to you or understand something for the first time. That is something that no other job can give you."

Turning towards the future, Mrs Tansey said she hopes to develop more links within the Kendal Collaborative Partnership and explore options of achieving teaching school status.

She added: "Here children will be given the chance to grow, be the best they can be, be valued for who they are and be given the opportunity to explore and learn."