A NEW headteacher has been appointed to join Marling School by the board of governors following the dismissal of Roger Lock.

Dr Stuart Wilson, who will take up the appointment by September, is currently associate headteacher at Cleeve School in Cheltenham, which has been rated as an 'outstanding' school by Ofsted.

He trained and worked as an engineering geologist, receiving a first degree and doctorate from the University of Bristol, before a career change into teaching in1996.

Dr Wilson held middle leadership posts at Deer Park School before moving to join the senior leadership team at Cleeve School in 2006. He lives locally with his wife and son.

Chairman of Marling governors, John Gilbert, said: "The governors of Marling are delighted that Stuart has accepted the role.

"He is an experienced educationalist and inspirational school leader who will help us to achieve our vision of making Marling one of the top schools in the country – a journey which we have already begun.

"We are looking forward to working with and learning from him."

Mr Gilbert also paid tribute to Alyson Mills who has been acting head at Marling for the past 15 months.

"Alyson has done an excellent job, for which she has our sincere thanks, and has started the process which Stuart will continue," he said.

"I’m sure she and the rest of the team will give him their full support going forward."