SHE is back at her old school.

However, this time Suzanne Dew has swapped a desk for a blackboard.

For she is the new deputy head at Eastleigh's Crestwood College, where she was a student in the 1980s under the first head teacher, Shelia Norman.

Suzanne, who was head of ethics and philosophy at Cowplain Secondary School, Waterlooville, is pleased to be back in her old academic surroundings.

Married with a young daughter, she says: "I remember being in the school drama productions and going on the French exchange.

"I have fond memories of my time at Crestwood as a student and would say there were many staff who inspired me to consider a career in teaching rather than any one person.

"A lot of time has passed and I have been teaching now for some time and in a number of schools, so it feels natural to be in the staff room."

Suzanne, who lives in the Eastleigh area, said: "There are a only a few staff that were here when I was, and out of those who were, most of them did not actually teach me."

After graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in economic history, she did her teacher training at Exeter University.

She says she is joining the Crestwood staff at an exciting time in the development of the college.

Looking forward to the challenges ahead, Suzanne added: "I feel very privileged to be able to contribute to the school and community that gave me so much."

She takes over at Crestwood from Betty Elkins, who is the new head at Cranbourne School in Basingstoke.