THE new headteacher of a Denbigh School says she is 'extremely proud' to be leading it into the 'next phase of its history'.

Leah Crimes will take over the position of headteacher at St Brigid's School this term.

Mrs Crimes succeeds Rona Jones, who left for pastures new at Ysgol Emmanuel in Rhyl in January 2020.

Governors, staff, parents and pupils of St Brigid's say they would like to 'warmly welcome' Mrs Crimes to the school.

She attended St Brigid’s School as a pupil herself before graduating from Cambridge University with a BA and MA in English, Drama and Education and then training to be an English and Drama teacher.

Mrs Crimes joins St. Brigid’s School from Rydal Penrhos School in Colwyn Bay, where she was Head of Sixth Form and Head of Language, Literacy and Communication.

On her appointment as Headteacher, Mrs Crimes said: "I am extremely proud to be leading St Brigid’s School into the next phase of its history.

"St. Brigid’s School was a second home to me as a young person, and I will be forever indebted to my teachers and in particular to the late Sr. Elizabeth Kelly.

"It is an extremely special place and I look forward to working with our staff, pupils and their families too."

Mrs Crimes joined the Rydal Penrhos community as an English and Drama teacher in 2008, and also became an Assistant Houseparent at the school’s Beecholme Boarding House in 2009.

She was promoted to Head of Drama soon after, and in 2014 she was given the role as Head of the English and Drama Faculty before taking over from Peter Lavery as the Head of Sixth Form.

Her involvement with Rydal Penrhos’ Dramatic Society brought some phenomenal shows such as 'To Kill a Mockingbird', 'Annie the Musical' and the recent 'Les Misierables'.

Mrs Crimes recently oversaw the first ever Creative and Performing Arts dinner and subsequent inaugural school colours awarded in the Arts.