THE NEW head teacher at Petersfield Infant School says academic learning isn’t the only thing she hopes pupils will leave the school with.

Allyson Crew, who lives on The Causeway, took over the headship role after being appointed deputy head in 2012.

Her promotion came when Linda Lee retired from the post after 13 years at the helm; on her last day, Friday, December 16, there was a special farewell assembly for Mrs Lee and pupils and teachers presented her with gifts and cards.

Mrs Crew, her family who moved to Petersfield when Allyson was just seven-years-old, has been at the school in St Peters Road since 2002, and says she wants the school to provide pupils a with “unique learning experience.”

She said: “I am totally committed to offering each child a unique learning experience. At our school, emotional development, social adjustment and positive attitudes are equally as important as the acquisition of skills and knowledge”.

Mrs Crew, whose husband Simon works for a Petersfield building firm, trained at Frobel College, which is part of Roehampton University in South London and began her teaching career at Sir James Barrie Infant School in Battersea.

After five years there, Allyson moved back to Petersfield, and went on to teach for 12 years at Sun Hill Infant School in Alresford.

She then moved to Petersfield Infant School as Year R Leader in 2002 and then went on to lead in both Years One and Two.

She became Deputy Headteacher in April 2011 and took over the headship after the retirement of Mrs Lee, who guided the school to two ‘outstanding’ Ofsted reports, in 2005 and 2008.

And getting Allyson’s headship underway with a Yo Ho Ho, were this Years Reception class who enjoyed a Pirate Day.

Reception Year teacher Julie Amor said: “As part of their ‘Yo Ho Ho’ topic, the children spent the day dressed as pirates, taking part in a variety of fun themed activities.

“They made fish, went on a treasure hunt, played pirate games, and designed a porthole window for a pirate ship. It was such a fun learning experience, really bringing the topic to life – the children know so much about pirates and were very excited to find the missing treasure.”