WESTHOLME School in Blackburn has announced the appointment of a new principal.

Dr Richard Robson, who has previously been headmaster at St Bede’s in Manchester and Woodbridge in Suffolk, will replace departing principal Lynne Horner, who is calling time on seven years at the school, at the start of next year.

Dr Robson said: “Westholme is a wonderful school and the family values and caring ethos it promotes attracted me instantly.

“You have a feel for a school very quickly and I could immediately see how the commitment to the development of the whole child matched my own educational philosophy.”

“I look forward to meeting all the students, staff and parents when the world has become less socially distant.

“Westholme has an incredibly bright future ahead and it is a genuine privilege to have the opportunity to steer a school where children come first.”

Governors chairman Brian Marsden said: “Dr Robson is an outstanding educational leader who is perfectly qualified to build on Mrs Horner’s success at Westholme."

Outgoing principal Mrs Horner said: “Westholme is a special school and I’m delighted it’s going to a safe pair of hands to take us forward to the centenary in 2023."