A PRIVATE school in Oxford has announced a new principal, following a period without anyone officially in post.

d'Overbroeck's in North Oxford has named Jonathan Cuff as its head, after consultation with senior staff and its board of directors.

Mr Cuff had been acting principal of the school since January, taking over from Emma-Kate Henry, who became principal in July 2017.

He said: "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead such a unique and successful school forward into the next decade.

"I am proud to be leading a school that creates such an extraordinary community of people working together, helping individuals be confident in their ideas and talents."

The school teaches about 600 students from the age of 11-18, and is in the midst of expansion.

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Mr Cuff completed his degree and teaching qualification at Brunel University before going on to achieve an MSc in educational leadership from the University of Leicester in 2012.

He has had 19 years of experience working in independent schools, most recently as a senior deputy principal at d’Overbroeck’s.

The new principal has also worked for the Independent Schools Inspectorate for six years as a boarding inspector, and will combine this working as an inspector the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students next year.

Mr Cuff added: "d’Overbroeck’s has established itself as a leading school in a relatively short time in the world of independent schools and we continue to move forward, developing all aspects of our provision such as our curriculum, our extra curricular activities, our sport and our facilities.

"This is why we are a school of first choice for more and more families. We hope that we do all of this with good humour and a focus on student learning and happiness."

Mrs Henry's predecessor Sami Cohen led the school for more than 20 years, having joined as a teacher in 1979.