'Caring' Preston headteacher who turned school around retires after 15 years

Lindsay Timms, headteacher at Cottam Primary School, Haydocks Lane, will retire this Easter after a challenging year for schools and teachers.

She is credited with helping to turn the school's Ofsted rating around from 'requires improvement' in 2013 to 'good' in 2014.

The school maintained a 'good' rating from Ofsted when it visited again in 2018.

Deputy head, Sarah Wright, said: "Lindsay is a much-loved headteacher and friend who will be missed by all the staff, children, parents and governors at Cottam Primary School.

"Her caring nature, sense of fun, coupled with her desire for all children to achieve their best will be remembered by everybody she has come into contact with throughout her teaching career."

A surprise retirement celebration was held at the school for Mrs Timms on Friday (March 26) - just before the Easter break.

"It has been a privilege to be the headteacher at Cottam for the past 15 years and I am so proud of all we have achieved in that time," said Mrs Timms.

"I could not have asked for a better staff team and governors who supported me on every step of my journey.

"It has been a pleasure to watch so many children flourish here and to get to know their families and be part of the Cottam community.

"I leave with many fabulous memories and lots of new friends and wish everyone at Cottam every success for the next chapter."

Lindsay is one of at least three headteachers retiring in the area: Julie Webster has been at Queen's Drive Primary School for 17 years and Chris Morris has been at Broughton High School for 12 years.