THE headteacher of a school in Prestatyn will take up the same role at a Rhyl school on an interim basis.

Neil Foley, head of Prestatyn High School, is to become acting head of Christ the Word Catholic School after the October half-term, replacing Bernadette Thomas.

Mrs Thomas became interim headteacher of Christ the Word in November 2022, but is set to return to her role with GwE, the North Wales regional school improvement service.

Mr Foley will be supported at Christ the Word by some of his colleagues at Prestatyn High.

Denbighshire County Council is currently advertising the permanent position of headteacher at Christ the Word, with a starting date of January 2025.

A council spokesperson said: “The governing body of Christ the Word Catholic School, Diocese of Wrexham and local authority of Denbighshire are delighted to report that they have secured the support of Prestatyn High School until a new headteacher is appointed.

“The support of Mr Foley, headteacher of Prestatyn High School, and his wider team will commence after half term.

“There is currently a live recruitment process for a new headteacher underway.”

Christ the Word, on Cefndy Road, was put in special measures following an Estyn report published in July 2022, after an inspection took place the previous May.

It replaced secondary school, Blessed Edward Jones Catholic School, and primary school, Ysgol Mair, when it opened in September 2019.

The £23million school caters for children between three and 16 years old.

Applications for the position of headteacher at Christ the Word can be sent until 5pm on October 23.

In the information pack for the vacancy, the school says it is looking for “a practising Catholic school leader who embodies Catholic values”.

Interviews with potential candidates are then scheduled to take place on November 20 and 21.