THE governors of the Chase School have announced the appointment of Mike Fieldhouse as head teacher.

Mr Fieldhouse has been acting head since February, when head Richard Jacobs was placed on special leave. He subsequently resigned in April.

In a statement issued yesterday, chairman of governors Matt May said: "We are confident that Mr Fieldhouse’s appointment will bring much stability to the Chase following the uncertainty of recent months.

"Governors have been very impressed with the way Mr Fieldhouse has performed since he became acting headteacher in February and the changes he has already made to the school.

"Mr Fieldhouse has some exciting ideas about how to lead the Chase during this time of severe financial challenge whilst providing the outstanding education all our children deserve. One of Mr Fieldhouse’s first jobs will be to secure an outstanding senior leadership team to ensure he has the support necessary to drive through the changes his vision brings.

"Over the next year we will be focusing on increasing our intake into Year Seven and the Sixth Form to help stabilise the financial situation whilst ensuring our teaching and learning deliver the outcomes our children deserve."

Mr Fieldhouse has been at the Chase for over 20 years and spent the last five years as deputy head.

No reason was been given by the school for Mr Jacobs' resignation, but he was placed on leave a week after he announced at least 15 teaching jobs at the school would have to go because of falling pupil numbers.

That announcement followed two previous rounds of job losses, which saw 25 teaching and support roles go.

Last year the school was given a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted.