A NEW primary school has announced its founding headteacher ahead of opening in September.

Claire Doland, who is currently interim headteacher at St Mary’s CE Infant School in Witney, will take over at Windrush CE Primary School, in the west of the town.

Mrs Doland, 50, was previously deputy headteacher at The Blake CE Primary School in Cogges.

The new school, currently under construction at the new Windrush Place estate, will be the first new primary in Witney since 2003.

Read again: Work to begin on new Windrush Primary School in Witney

When full, it will have capacity for 315 pupils aged four to 11, plus 39 places in nursery for children aged two to four.

It will be operated by River Learning Trust (RLT), a multi-academy trust of primaries and secondaries based in Oxfordshire, in partnership with the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education (ODBE).

RLT currently operates Madley Brook, Witney Community and Tower Hill primary schools in the town, as well as Edith Moorhouse in Carterton.

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Those wishing to send their child to Windrush need to apply directly to the school on its website, as well as filling out the Oxfordshire County Council application form.

Because it is a new school, Windrush is not an option on the county council form for 2021 entry.

Parents who apply directly to Windrush will be asked to choose between it and existing schools later in the admissions process.

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