THE West Somerset Academies Trust has appointed a new chairman of trustees, Dr Jane Keeley, who takes over from Martina Forster.

Jane is a retired headteacher with over 20 years’ experience of school governance.

During the last three years, the West Somerset Academies Trust, a registered education charity, has grown from two schools to six and is now responsible for the education of about 1600 children.

It also runs four nurseries in Minehead, Old Cleeve and Williton, and employs a total of 340 people.

Jane said: “This is a really exciting time to become chair of the trust.

“Over the past three years, standards have risen at every level – and whilst there is still much to do, we are building on a very strong platform.

“We are also keen to find a way in which all the first schools in the area can join us.”

Martina, who had held the post since the trust was created in 2016, said it had been a privilege to serve the children of West Somerset as chairman of the trust.