North Walsham High School has appointed a new headteacher, School chiefs hope that Neil Powell, a former principal of East Point Academy in Lowestoft, will be able to start work before the end of term.

He succeeds Caroline Brooker who died on New Year's Eve 2015 after a three-year battle with cancer. She had been head for 10 years.

Mr Powell, who is currently principal of the Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough, became a teacher after a career in the Armed Forces.

Among other roles he was a senior leader at Tendring Technology College, Essex, where he was part of a team that led the school to OFSTED Outstanding status.

At Lowestoft his work was instrumental in bringing the school out of Special Measures.

Alex Robinson, North Walsham High's chairman of governors, said: 'There was considerable interest in this position, with applications from strong candidates from all over the country, as well as within the county.

'After a rigorous two-day interview and assessment process, the governors were united in appointing Neil to the post.

'As the school moves towards participating in a new Multi Academy Trust (MAT), we face exciting times, and we are delighted to have appointed such an experienced leader to take the school forward.'

Mr Robinson thanked acting head teacher Ian Winter and the school's leadership team for holding the fort since Mrs Brooker had left on sick leave last year. The school currently has 691 pupils.