Forest High School has moved quickly to appoint a new headteacher following Paul Holroyd's decision to move to Gloucester Academy for the start of the 2019/20 academic year.

The Cinderford-based school have announced that John Whitehead, the current principal of the Colston's Girls School in Bristol will take up his new post in September.

Mr Whitehead has been principal of Colston's Girls School since 2016, when he stepped up from the role of vice principal, a post he had occupied since 2014.

Kevin Hamblin, CEO of SGS Academy Trust who oversee Forest High School said: "'When we were notified of our current Headteacher, Paul Holroyd's decision to move on, we wanted his replacement to be an existing Headteacher of an Outstanding School.

We have made significant progress at FHS since Paul Holroyd arrived and we are delighted that John will join us as he sees the vision we have for this school and its role in the community it serves.

"John will inject energy into the school and focus on the further improvement of learning across all year groups.

"FHS has been transformed under the stewardship of Paul combined with significant support of SGS Academy Trust and staff at the School; and the Trust is delighted to announce as his successor an experienced and ambitious Headteacher to build on the potential we feel this school has in improving the life chances of local children."

Mr Holroyd was appointed as headteacher in 2017 less than two years after Forest High School had been judged as unsatisfactory by Ofsted.

He led a transformation that saw the school leave special measures in June 2018.

Mr Whitehead comes from a school judged as outstanding by Ofsted and is the highest attaining non-selective school in the South West.

He said: "Leaving an outstanding school, to lead a school which requires improvement, is a positive choice that I have made because I believe I can lead Forest High School quickly upwards to Good and then Outstanding over the next five years.

"I have been looking for the opportunity to lead school improvement where there is potential to transform a whole community by offering young people an outstanding education.

"I think that the FHS is that opportunity. I know that SGS Academy Trust are absolutely behind this school and with recent success in securing nearly £1m to spend on the buildings over this summer, I firmly believe this school can, and will, shine even brighter in a few years' time.

"I have already met some staff and pupils at the school and I was very impressed at the pride, positivity and caring attitude of everyone I have come across.

"I am eager to get involved over the next few weeks before joining the school full time in September and begin to learn about the Cinderford community."