A TEACHER is coming "home" to take over as head of a Pendle school.

Arnold Kuchartschuk, 44, will take up the top spot at West Craven High, Barnoldswick, in January.

Mr Kuchartschuk, born in Yorkshire to a Romanian father and Estonian mother, is currently senior and curriculum deputy head at Bishop Rawstrone High, Croston, Chorley.

He lives in Cross Hills, near Keighley, but regards the Craven area as "home". The move will cut his daily drive to work by half.

He said: "I am delighted to be head of West Craven. It is a wonderful opportunity.

"I intend to build on the successful foundation laid by the hard work of the local community, school governors, teaching and non-teaching staff and the former head..

"The pupils I have met have been polite, inquisitive and keen for their school to be one of the best."

Mr Kuchartschuk will succeed Will Montgomery, who has taken over as head of a school in Stockport. Tim Cockroft will continue to be acting head until he arrives.

Mr Kuchartschuk's wife Georgina, a journalist, has worked with the Craven Herald, Skipton, and the Telegraph & Argus in Keighley and Bradford.

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