Pupils film advert for new head

The advert features alongside 396 others for primary head teachers

Children at an Isle of Wight school, which has been without a head teacher for more than a year, have made a video to entice applicants.

Acting head Thelma Howland at Northwood Primary in Cowes is set to retire soon.

Keen to see a permanent replacement found, the school's governors enlisted the help of pupils for the video.

A colour advert was then taken out in a national industry newspaper with a link to the school's website where the video gives applicants an insight.

Beth Ottley, nine, said: "I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to come and work here because it's really fun being at this school and all the teachers are really nice."

And Will Harrison, nine, added: "I'd like our new head teacher to be strict but not too strict and be enthusiastic about things."

Governors had to persuade the local education authority before producing the video and placing the advert, which cost £2,000 in the Times Educational Supplement.

Wendy Bluestone, chairman of governors, said: "So many heads are retiring but there are not that many ready candidates to take their position so we're all fighting for a very small pool of good potential heads out there."