The principal of a west London free school is to head up an academy trust's primary schools in Norfolk.

Hywel Jones, currently head at West London Free School, has been announced as the Inspiration Trust's new primary director, a role which will see him head up development at its five primaries.

Mr Jones, who will work alongside the academies' principals and trust senior leaders, has taught in Ely, Bishop's Stortford and London, and was recently appointed to the board of exams regulator Ofqual.

Announcing the appointment, Inspiration Trust chief executive Dame Rachel de Souza said: 'I am delighted to welcome Hywel to the Inspiration Trust. Hywel is an incisive and determined leader and his broad knowledge across the sector will be extremely important in ensuring that children in our primary schools get an exceptional foundation to their education.

'Schools like Stradbroke Primary Academy in Gorleston are already leading the country - named as in the top three percent of schools earlier this year - and this new role is all about providing the support and analysis that will ensure all of our primaries are as good as the very best.'

Mr Jones, a keen road cyclist, said: 'I'm looking forward to helping the trust's fantastic teaching staff improve the outcomes for pupils across our primary schools.

'We have seen great strides in standards in primary schools in London and I want to blend that experience with the best of what is being done in Norfolk, and in particular the exceptional work on curriculum being pioneered by the Inspiration Trust.'

Mr Jones will oversee Cobholm Primary Academy, Great Yarmouth Primary Academy and Stradbroke Primary Academy, all in the Great Yarmouth area, and Charles Darawin Primary and Norwich Primary Academy, both in Norwich.