A NEW head teacher has been appointed at York's Joseph Rowntree School.

, David Hewitt, currently deputy head of Allerton High School, Leeds, will lead the school from next April.

The change follows the departure of Richard Crane, who is taking up a new role in Durham in January.

Lynne Hardcastle will be interim head teacher for the spring term.

Dianne Gomery, chair of governors, said that in Mr Hewitt, they had found 'a leader with the commitment and integrity to guide the school and its community through the opportunities and challenges of the next decade.'

She said:"We wanted to appoint someone who could build on and extend the school’s achievements gained over the past five years.

"David’s integrity and vision impressed the Governors’ interview panel, which included two parent governors, and his wide-ranging abilities in all aspects of school leadership and management were clearly demonstrated throughout the structured two-day interview process. "