TWO candidates for the headteacher job at East Meon school are due to be interviewed next week.

If one is selected, he or she will fill the post left by former headteacher Karlaine Gilbert, who is now in Austria running self-catering apartments.

The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by governors at the Church of England supported school, including East Meon vicar, the Rev Jane Ball.

She said: “We hope to select a candidate and, if we do, the successful person could be in place in the autumn.”

Since Karlaine left the school in Chapel Street, it has been run jointly by the deputy head at Herne Junior School in Petersfield, Peter Castle, and Buriton Primary School head Danielle Brown.

They have been co-ordinated by East Meon deputy head Jenny Fenton, who also runs the school day-to-day.

Mrs Ball said: “It has all gone smoothly. The two temporary head teachers and Jenny, have been fantastic, and have been helped tremendously by the really dedicated school staff.

“They have been superb, and delivered a high quality of education, there certainly hasn’t been any coasting.”

It is expected the new headteacher will actively support the fundraising campaign to gather money to extend the school hall, creating more learning space, desperately needed as the school’s growing popularity attracts more pupils.

Mrs Ball said: “The hall isn’t big enough for all the children to get together, or to be joined by families and guestsfor celebrations and assemblies. “It is also too small to use for games’ lessons, or school lunches.”

So far, more than £50,000 has been raised, but around £100,000 needs to be raised by the school, through events such as the Meonfest music festival on the nearby Bereleigh Estate.

But it’s unclear what the local education authority, Hampshire County Council, will contribute. It was thought the council would match fund the project, but now that seems unlikely.

Mrs Ball added: “The project to extend the hall is still very much alive.”