Hey welcomes new Head

Knowsley Hey welcomed a new headteacher to its hallowed halls this September. Reporters Robert Carlisle, 11, and Vicky Evans, 12, decided to find out more about Ms Mary Belchem.

Ms Belchem came to Knowsley Hey from the position of deputy headteacher of Childwall Comprehensive, in Liverpool. This has proved to be quite a change as she told our reporters. “Childwall is a large comprehensive on three sites with over 1300 pupils so it is quite a bit different.”

When asked to comment on her first impressions of Knowsley Hey pupils, Ms Belchem was full of praise. “I think the behaviour of the pupils is good and the standard of uniform is excellent. I come in each day and everybody looks smart and ready to learn. Generally, pupils are courteous and although some people do get up to things we don't like, we deal with them.”

When asked about changes to school procedures, Ms Belchem had this to say: “I think what we’ve got to do is work on the rules we have. I don’t agree with someone new coming into the job changing everything. You come into a job and you think I’m going to do this, this and this, and yet I am still looking around the school seeing what works and what doesn't work. I can’t at the moment think of any drastic changes I would make but I think we will have to wait and see what will happen.”

Ms Belchem is full of optimism for the future of the school. “I hope this school will continue to do well and the children will find it a happy place to learn. They will be happy here and will achieve. Everyone can achieve his or her full potential and the staff and I will work together to make sure we work with everybody to do well. I'm also looking forward to the fact that we may be having our new City Learning Centre, which will have marvellous resources for all of the community.”

Huyton Today reporters would like to join the staff and pupils of the school in wishing Ms Belchem every success in her new role.