A primary school near Malmesbury has appointed a new headteacher. 

Alana Walch took over at Brinkworth Earl Danby’s School, which has sites in Brinkworth and Dauntsey, at the start of term.

She joins the school with 23 years of experience, having most recently been part of St Francis Primary School in Swindon.

“I am over the moon to be joining the Brinkworth Earl Danby’s family and getting to know all of the children," she said.

Asked what she was most looking forward to doing at her new school she added: "Having a positive impact on a whole new group of families and a new community. 

"In my previous school I taught whole sets of siblings and developed really good relationships with the families and am looking forward to doing that at Brinkworth Earl Danby’s as well.”

Just as Mrs Walch is starting a new chapter, so are many other families in the area and Alana has some advice for those caring for children who have just started school.

“Children are unbelievably adaptable and will slip into the school routine in the blink of an eye. 

"They will of course be very tired in the first couple of weeks but they’ll soon get into the swing of things and you won’t remember a time when they weren’t at school!” 

"As children start the new school year, and some children of course start school for the first time, I will be supporting them and their families as they adjust, adapt, learn and grow.”

And as hundreds of families in Malmesbury and the surrounding villages start the process of selecting a school for the first time for entry next September, Alana has some tips for families.

“Firstly, don’t panic," she said. 

"Whilst it’s undeniably a huge milestone for any child to go to school for the first time choosing a school needn’t be stressful. 

"In fact, if you work out what’s important to you and your child and you do your research, it should be a very straightforward process. 

"Lots of families we meet develop a check list for the things which are important to them and they can then choose a school that best meets their needs.”