A school in the Swindon area has unveiled its new principal.

Lydiard Park Academy vice principal Sophie Hesten will lead Highworth Warneford School from this September. 

Andy Steele is leaving the Highworth school to enjoy his retirement having overseen a programme aimed at raising standards and attainment which resulted in a strong set of GCSE results last year.  

The Park Academies Trust's interim CEO James Nicholson said: "Miss Hesten has already been working with Highworth Warneford as part of the trust's collaboration between our schools since September last year so she already knows many members of staff and pupils well.

"She will be a dedicated and committed principal and we look forward to seeing her taking the school from strength to strength.

"I would like to thank Andy Steele for all his hard work at Highworth Warneford. I know that everyone will miss him enormously and we all wish him the very best in his retirement.”. 

Sophie Hesten said: “I feel extremely honoured and privileged to have been chosen to take on the new role.

"I have almost 25 years of education experience, the majority of my career has been spent in Swindon. 

"I look forward to meeting parents, carers and pupils very soon and working with them to help our young people reach their full potential.”