A NEW headteacher has been appointed at a Christchurch secondary school

Jane Asplin will take the reins at The Grange School in Somerford after the spring half term.

She will replace Steve Dossett, who has been in charge for the past five years.

The school comes under the umbrella of Twynham Learning.

Ms Asplin, who is currently head of a secondary school in mid-Wales said: "I am absolutely delighted to be the new headteacher of The Grange School.

"I have been made so very welcome by staff and students alike. What wonderful young people attend this school.

"First of all I want to put on record my thanks to Steve Dossett who has done an excellent job in seeing the school through what I know has been a difficult period.

"Although much remains to be done, he will be leaving the school in good shape.

"I am also grateful to him for working with me in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.

"It is an incredibly exciting prospect to be a headteacher within Twynham Learning and having the opportunity of sharing expertise with colleagues at Twynham School and Twynham Primary School."

Dr Terry Fish, executive headteacher of Twynham Learning added: “Mr Steve Dossett has led significant change at the school and there is no doubt that the Grange School is going through nothing other than a transformation.

"After five years at the helm, Mr Dossett felt that it was the right time for a new headteacher to take over and I would like to add my grateful thanks for all that he has done.

"It is a mark of the way in which the school is improving that we had an extremely strong field of candidates for the headteacher position and we are nothing other than delighted that Jane Asplin has been appointed.”

Ms Asplin is a member of the Talented Leaders' Programme, which identifies senior school leader for headteacher positions across the country.