A teacher is stepping up to take a top spot at a rural primary school.

Julia Dalgleish has been appointed headteacher of Lees Hill School, a role which will formally begin when the new academic year starts in September.

Mrs Dalgleish is already a familiar face at the school, near Brampton, having been in post as acting headteacher since September.

Initially she stepped in for a term to provide leadership while headteacher Jill Simpson was seconded to help at Yewdale Primary School in Carlisle.

Governors began their search to find a successor to Mrs Simpson following her resignation.

Lees Hill School is one of the smallest primary schools in Cumbria, with 27 pupils on roll and seven staff.

Mrs Dalgleish previously worked at Gilsland Church of England School, also a small school, as a senior teacher. She worked there for 11 years.

Her career has also included stints working in Bracknell and Carlisle.

Mrs Dalgleish is a specialist leader of education across the area, recognised for her work with children aged four to seven.

Of her new role, Mrs Dalgleish said: "I'm excited in moving forward here in our idyllic location.

"We've had a really successful year."

Mrs Dalgleish has hopes to further develop the outdoor learning area at Lees Hill.

In April Lees Hill School was described as a 'little gem' in a report by Ofsted inspectors, who found that it was continuing to deliver a good standard of education following the change in leadership.