New head teachers - Jeremy Handscomb (Holy Trinity), Gareth Nation (Castle Primary) and Helen Woodhams (Ashill and Buckland St Mary)

They are taking over at schools in the Redstart Learning Partnership, a group of several schools in the area.

Jeremy Handscomb joins Holy Trinity Church of England School, in Taunton, as head teacher.

For the past three years he has been leading Castle Primary School, in Stoke sub Hamdon, which is also in The Redstart Learning Partnership.

He will be joined by Steve Morton as deputy head, who is moving from Buckland St Mary Church of England Primary.

Gareth Nation takes over at Castle Primary School, Stoke sub Hamdon, after four years as deputy head at Ilchester Primary School.

Helen Woodhams will be taking on the role of head of small schools, responsible for Ashill Primary and Buckland St Mary Church of England School.

She replaces Ashill head Janet Woodman, who is retiring after 25 years at the school.

Chief executive officer of The Redstart Learning Partnership Suzanne Flack said: “As a community of schools we’re able to grow and attract strong leaders.

"We are also able to offer excellent career development opportunities for our leaders.

"I’ll be working closely to support all our school leaders as they get to know their new schools and their communities.”

Holy Trinity's new leader Mr Handscomb was previously assistant head at Redstart Primary School, Chard, in 2014 before moving to Castle Primary School.

He said: "It has been a wonderful experience helping to develop the teaching at Castle and I am really proud of what the whole team has achieved so far.

"I’m looking forward to being able to bring new energy to Holy Trinity with the support of the Redstart Learning Partnership.”

Mr Nation spent his entire teaching career in Somerset and has a background in youth work and social care as well as a degree in ceramics.

He said: “I’m joining Castle Primary at an exciting time in its development as a member of the Redstart Learning Partnership.

"It’s a true community village school and has good access to extra resources, support and collaboration by being part of a trust.

"I really enjoy helping small schools thrive and I’m very much looking forward to getting started in September.”

He trained in Taunton and has a background in school governance as well as completing a masters in behaviour.

Helen Woodhams is currently assistant head at The Redstart Primary School and has worked at other small schools - North Newton Primary near Bridgwater and Bolham Primary in Devon.

She said: “I’m really excited to be returning to village settings, where the school plays such a pivotal role in the life of the community.”

Janet Woodman, the current head at Ashill, will be retiring after working at the school for more than 25 years as both teacher and, during the last four years, as head teacher.

After working with a fantastic team who took the school to an ‘Outstanding’ OFSTED judgement, she is now looking forward to her retirement and the opportunity to spend more time with her grandchildren and to restart playing tennis.

She said: "I am delighted that Ashill is joining The Redstart Learning Partnership.

"The creation of the Small Schools Hub is an exciting development and the staff are looking forward to working closely with the other schools in the Partnership.’

*The Redstart Learning Partnership, launched in 2015, is governed by a board of trustees and is based at The Redstart Primary School, Chard.

Other schools in the learning partnership are Buckland St Mary C of E Primary School; Castle Primary School, Stoke sub Hamdon; Minerva Primary School, Taunton.  Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, Taunton and Ashill Primary are due to become members from September 2017.