Local girl rises to top of class

After completing her A-levels in 1986, Helen spent the next three years at Newcastle University, graduating in biology.

She obtained her teaching qualification at St Martin’s College and was appointed to her first teaching post at Our Lady’s in autumn 1991.

She progressed to be head of year, head of biology, head of science and assistant headteacher before obtaining her present role of deputy headteacher in 2011.

Mrs Seddon will be taking over the reins of the school from the outgoing head, Brendan Conboy, who is retiring after eight years.

During his tenure, the school has gone from strength to strength and is currently one of the leading schools in the whole country for student progress based on last year’s Key Stage 4 exam results.

Teaching must be in the family genes, as Mrs Seddon’s mother was a long-standing member of staff at St Bernadette’s Primary School in Bowerham. Helen’s daughter Kate is also a secondary school teacher and the current head of biology at St Mary’s Academy in Blackpool.

Mrs Seddon is relishing the challenges to come.

She said: “Brendan always called it ‘The Best Job in Lancashire,’ but when I first qualified, I never even considered becoming a headteacher.

“As I gained experience, progressed through the roles and discovered I could make a real difference to the lives of young people, being headteacher gradually became my ultimate goal.

“My passion for Our Lady’s, the pleasure I get from watching our pupils grow into successful and happy young adults and the confidence I have in the quality and dedication of my colleagues means I might just echo Brendan’s words from time to time!”