IT'S A New Year and a fresh start for a Flintshire high school as it gears up for the year ahead with a new vision and a new governing body, following on from its recent positive inspection report.

Following an Estyn inspection, Ysgol Treffynon was in December removed from special measures after more than three years - and now has a new governing body.

Jane Tilston has been appointed as the new chair of governors at the Holywell high school, and Dr Christina McMinn takes up the role of vice chair.

Mrs Tilston’s career spent in health, education and law has provided her with a wide variety of experience and knowledge within public services.

Up until her retirement a year ago, she was a member of Coleg Cambria’s board and before that, prior to the merger, was elected chair of Yale Further Education College.

Mrs Tilston was employed by the North Wales Probation Service as a bail information officer, giving her an understanding of mental health issues and the problems of substance misuse, and she also worked as a court duty officer.

She said: “I am proud to be elected chair of governors of such an inspirational school, and fortunate in having Christina as my vice chair.

“I have huge respect for the staff and the headteacher who have worked so hard to bring the school out of special measures.

"There will be challenges ahead, as there are in any school, but the governing body and myself will support the school to continue on its successful journey in line with our new vision of ‘Excellence in Everything.’”

Dr McMinn was previously on the school’s Interim Executive Board (IEB) which was in place prior to the school moving out of special measures.

She hails from Connah’s Quay and is the operations director of the Customer Communication Division at Communisis - which employs around 1,500 people across the UK to produce 800 million mail packs per annum.

John Weir, headteacher, said: “I am delighted to have Jane and Christina at the helm of our governing body. They are both incredibly talented and motivated individuals and bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their roles.

“I am immensely proud of what has been achieved over the last couple of years at Ysgol Treffynnon and this success is a testament to the power of collaboration between our school, our students and their families, and the support from the Local Authority and the Regional School Improvement Service, GwE."