THE new headteacher is taking the reins at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy.

Anita Ellis is the current deputy head of the school at Lime Kiln and is taking George Croxford’s spot.

He will become CEO of the academy.

The mum of six-year-old Elin Haf has been married for 11 years to Clare Ellis and it excited to be taking on the new role.

Anita said: “I’m proud to be the school’s first female headteacher.

“It feels good to be a role model.”

She started working at the school almost two decades ago in 2001 a newly-qualified teacher of history and sociology.

And she has held the post as deputy head for eight years.

She was appointed by Marion Sweet who is the RWBA Trust chairwoman, academy governing body chair Olivia Thomas and Sandra Muir the headteacher of Lawn Manor Academy in Swindon.

Anita said: “I am over the moon. I’ve been here a long time, and quite honestly this is a dream come true.

“You work hard every day to do your best, and leave at the end of the day hoping what you have done has really helped your students.

“To have that culminating in such an exciting opportunity is amazing, and I feel honoured.”

When she’s not working she enjoys training, running and walking her golden retriever Buzz.

Mr Croxford has led the school since 2010 and was shortlisted for the best secondary school headteacher in 2019 by the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

And RWBA was rated as one of the best in the whole of the south west region three years ago in The Sunday Times. It came 19th place out of the top 20 for the region.

Mr Croxford is happy with his replacement. He said: “This is a fabulous appointment.

"Anita is exactly the right person to take the school further now, and having worked with her I know the trajectory will be onwards and upwards.

“The staff are delighted that she has got the job, and so am I.”

RWBA partially closed on Wednesday after Mr Croxford went into self-isolation because of the coronavirus.

Now it is closed until further notice from today along with most schools in the country.