LYTCHETT Minster School is starting the new academic year with a new headmaster at the helm.

After 18 years the school has said a fond farewell to headmaster Stuart Clark and is welcoming Andrew Mead, former deputy head teacher of The Blandford School.

Mr Clark has presided over massive change, with numerous building projects transforming it into one of the most well equipped schools in the county.

Two devastating fires called on his resilience and fortitude. The replacement creative arts building is due for completion in January 2015.

Academic success, strong moral values and effective pastoral care have contributed to its popularity and it is one of the only schools in the county to see numbers rising year on year.

More than 1,400 students attend the school and the sixth form is 300-strong.

Staff and governors have paid tribute to Mr Clark’s commitment and hard work, particularly in securing major improvements to the school’s accommodation.

This month, the school will be celebrating the completion of the new £3.2million Lulworth block with sixth form facilities, and six new tennis courts.

During Mr Clark’s tenure the school has been rated four times by Ofsted, very good in 2002, good with outstanding features in 2006, outstanding in 2009 and good with outstanding features in 2013. Welcoming his replacement, Mr Clark said: “I am delighted by the appointment and join the governors in their unanimous confidence that he will be a great strength to the school and is the ideal headmaster to lead the school forward on the next stage of its development.”

Mr Mead, who has been married for 23 years and has two sons, said: “I am very much looking forward to taking on the role of headmaster at Lytchett Minster.

“It is a beautiful school with high standards, excellent teaching, delightful students and a real sense of community.”

The school will be opening its doors for a sixth form open evening on September 18 at 7pm and for the main school open evening on September 25 at 6pm.