FORMER PUPIL RETURNS AS HEAD

Maria Cowler was brought up in Lewes and has lived in the town most of her life. Her local links could not be stronger since her mother's parents were evacuated here during the war and her father came from Uckfield.

Maria was even a pupil at St Pancras School herself at the end of the 1970s.

And the new head will be reinforcing the friendly family feel which has prompted generation after generation to attend.

Maria was deputy headteacher at St Joseph's in Haywards Heath before taking up her new post. She has been welcomed warmly by pupils, staff, parents, governors and the whole community.

Maria sees this as an exciting time to join the school since it coincides with Fr Richard Biggerstaff's arrival at St Pancras Church. By coincidence, the pair know each other and have worked together in Weybridge, Surrey, when they found themselves in the same parish.