A NEW headteacher has been appointed at a Wantage primary.

Andrew Browne, who has been head at St Nicholas’ Primary School in East Challow since 2014, will take up his new role at Wantage CofE in September.

Both schools are run by the Vale Academy Trust (VAT) school board.

Mr Browne, who was also previously a geography teacher at King Alfred’s Academy in Wantage, will succeed Clare Morgan at the CofE school, following what the VAT called ‘an intensive recruitment process’ before Easter.

Sue Hunter, chairwoman of Wantage CocE’s governing body, said: “We are delighted that Andrew will be joining us.

“During the recruitment process it became clear that he is the right person to lead the school onwards into the next stage of its development, and we are very excited about the future.

“It is a bonus that, coming from a school within the Vale Academy Trust, Andrew will be familiar with how the trust works and the benefits of collaboration across the trust that heads really value.”

Mr Browne said he would remain proud of his headship at St Nicholas.

He went on: “Whilst I will miss the pupils, families and staff enormously, I am delighted to have been appointed as head at Wantage CofE where I am looking forward to getting to know everyone; to deepening the vision, values and beliefs of the school community; and to leading a school where everyone is safe, successful and strong.”

In the interim, Wantage CofE’s current deputy head Evy Boehm will take on the role of acting headteacher, supported by other members of the senior leadership team and Mr Browne, who plans to visit the school regularly to get to know pupils and staff.