Richmond School’s new head teacher says he wants to make it one of the best in the world.

Ian Robertson will take over the helm at the beginning of the spring term on January 4, following the departure of current head Phil Beaver.

Mr Robertson,49, has lived in Richmond for 11 years with his wife Suzanne and their two daughters - the youngest of whom is currently a student at the school.

A National Leader of Education, Mr Robertson has been executive principal at Hermitage School in Chester-le-Street for the past seven years.

Originally from Manchester, he has worked in schools all over the region, including Blakeston School in Stockton and Woodham Community Technology College.

Mr Robertson said: “I applied for the position because I am a local person, and I have a desire to make my local school one of the best in the world.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

Mr Beaver, who took over from former head Jim Jack in 2002, said that “the time was right” for him to leave the school, which is undergoing a multi-million pound re-development.

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