A HEREFORD school which is continuing to make improvements after being taken out of special measures earlier this year has appointed a new principal.

Year-six pupils who will also be starting at the Hereford Academy in September were among those who welcomed new principal, Paul Halcro, to the school.

The recently appointed CEO of the Bishop Anthony Educational Trust, Judith Tinsley, was also present.

Mr Halcro is understood to have an excellent track record of leadership in successful schools and understands the needs of both the academy and wider community.

After leaving school, Mr Halcro joined the Royal Air Force and trained as an aircraft technician.

On leaving the RAF he completed a BEd in secondary mathematics and went to work in a challenging school in Wolverhampton for 10 years.

Following this, he became deputy head at Thomas Telford School in Shropshire and since 2012 has been principal at the Bulwell Academy in Nottingham where he moved the school from special measures to good in 18 months. He will join the Academy in September.

Currently led by interim principal, Patrick Ottley-O’Connor, the Hereford Academy continues to build on the ‘significant improvements’ noted by Ofsted when the school was brought out of special measures.

Judith Tinsley, said the Bishop Anthony Educational Trust is ‘delighted' with the progress made this academic year.

She praised staff and governors for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the life of the students and the wider community and thanked Mr Ottley-O’Connor for his commitment to the staff and students of the Academy.

Mr Ottley-O’Connor, who had pledged to take the school out of special measures, said: "It has been a privilege to be principal during this year and to be a part of the great strides made on the journey to becoming the outstanding academy that the students and community deserves.

"All credit must be given to the staff and students who have risen to the challenges and indeed opportunities that have resulted in the removal of Special Measures and improved outcomes.

"This rapid progress and achievement has also been made possible by the great support and challenge provided by the local governing body and sponsor, The Bishop Anthony Educational Trust.

"I will leave in July with very fond memories of not only the students and staff, but the local community and Hereford itself, who are now behind and supporting the aspirations of The Hereford Academy."