Long Stratton High School's new headteacher has said his number one priority is to improve exam results.

Roger Harris was due to take over as the new headteacher in September when his predecessor, John Wilson, was set to retire.

But Mr Wilson, who started out as acting headteacher at the school in July 2011, has retired early and Dr Harris was able to leave his position as acting headteacher at Woodlands Academy, Coventry, to take the opportunity to get to know his new school.

Last year GCSE results at the school were down on results from 2014.

In 2015 52pc of students achieved five A*-C grades, including English and Maths, and 64pc of students achieved A*- C grades in all subjects.

But in 2014 59pc of students achieved A*-C grades, including English and Maths, and 71pc of students achieved A*-C in all subjects.

Dr Harris, who has previously taught at Thetford Academy and Earlham High School (now City Academy Norwich), said: 'My number one priority is to improve results. The children of this school have so much potential and we must make sure they realise it and make sure their aspirations are achieved.

'This is a really nice school and it is a pleasant learning environment.'

Dr Harris was a research scientist at the John Innes Centre and gained a PhD in biophysical sciences at the University of East Anglia.

He has been introducing himself to students, staff and parents with the hope of being able to hit the ground running for the next school year.

'I have got lots of ideas I want to implement so the children can be as successful as possible,' he said. 'There are not many concerns but we need to look to the future and have consistency.'

The school, which has nearly 650 pupils, was rated as 'good' across the board in its last Osfted inspection which took place in September 2012.