A NEW interim head teacher has been announced for Bournemouth Collegiate School when Russell Slatford steps down at the end of the academic year.

Maria Coulter has already been with Bournemouth Collegiate school for eleven years.

She joined the school as head of sixth form and progressed to senior deputy head, teaching A-level business and leading teacher training.

Over the last 15 years, she has been responsible for recruiting and training almost 100 new teachers.

Mrs Coulter has a 28-year career in education.

She started her career teaching business and economics and since then has held various leadership roles in different areas of school operations, having previously specialised in sixth form education.

She plans to continue teaching alongside her leadership responsibilities to stay connected to pupils.

Russell Slatford said the decision to leave the independent school at the end of August had not been “taken lightly” and that he would look back on his time in charge with great pride.

Mrs Coulter takes up the interim position on Monday, August 1 and will remain in post until a permanent headteacher is appointed.