A FLINTSHIRE head teacher has been appointed to a senior position at the Diocese of St Asaph.

Jennie Downes is currently head teacher of Ysgol Nannerch and will take up the post of education officer for the department of education and lifelong learning at the Diocese in September.

Her role will focus on leading developments in teaching and learning in religious education and collective worship for the diocese’s 51 church schools.

Its director Rosalind Williams welcomed Jennie’s appointment.

She said: “I am delighted to have such an experienced and creative new member of our team.

"Jennie has been an inspirational head at Ysgol Nannerch and we look forward to her sharing those skills with our schools across the diocese.

“These are exciting and challenging times for schools and as a Diocese we are continually developing our expertise to support our schools to help every child to reach their full potential.”

Jennie Downes began teaching in 1997. She became deputy head at Rector Drew VA Primary School in Hawarden in 2004 and then head of Ysgol Nannerch in 2008.

She said: “My best times over the last ten years have without a doubt been working with the children and having the opportunity to share in their sense of awe as they discover the wonderful world around them.

"I believe children flourish within a learning environment that provides values through which to grow, where they learn and realise their unique potential and can experience the possibility of a future filled with hope.

“I am really looking forward to taking up my new role, especially meeting and working with colleagues across the Diocese of St Asaph.

"It will be great to work with people who share a vision for creating a successful future for our church in Wales schools and the education and wellbeing of our children.”

Jennie lives in Mold with her husband and youngest daughter. She enjoys reading, the creative arts and textiles, and loves to spend time walking in the hills and Welsh countryside.