Tracey Savage is the new head teacher at Sandwich Technology School.

Mrs Savage, who will start on January 1, is deputy head teacher at the Norton Knatchbull boys’ grammar School in Ashford.

She said: “It’s slightly different in the range of students but I’ve worked in schools like that before and thrived in a school like that myself. Students are students, they’re the same and have the same hopes and ambitions.”

Mrs Savage previously worked as an assistant head teacher at Archers Court School in Whitfield, which is where she went to school.

She lives in Whitfield with her husband Andrew and two children Robin 16, and Tristan, 15.

She said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as head teacher at Sandwich. As someone born and bred in south east Kent I have been aware of the school’s excellent reputation for years and during my interview and other visits I have had the friendly, hardworking and committed nature of both the students and staff confirmed.

“It’s a very good school. I think the biggest challenge is steering its way through all the education reforms. It’s about making sure we steer through it successfully and the students still get the best outcomes.”

Mrs Savage said that she thinks being a mother and a head teacher will help her role.

She said: “It’s amazing how often I find myself talking to the students about my boys, I’m a mum as well so I understand that side of it.”

"I think the biggest challenge is steering its way through all the education reforms. It’s about making sure we steer through it successfully and the students still get the best outcomes." - Tracey Savage.

She will be in and out of the school from now until December for meetings with current head teacher Veronica Gomez, who will be retiring at the end of the year.

She said: “Veronica has done a fantastic job. There will be lots of opportunities to make sure I hit the ground running.”

Chairman of governors Bruce Eccles said: “My fellow governors and I look forward enormously to working with Mrs Savage as she takes our school on the next stage of its journey.

“She impressed with her enthusiasm, passion and commitment all of which is underpinned by a clear understanding of the challenges that face our young people in the 21st century.”