A HEAD teacher with a record for successfully implementing school improvements has been appointed to take over at The Taunton Academy.

Jenny Veal will start at the Cheddon Road campus next month before taking up the post permanently in January.

In the interim she is working closely with leaders linked to two other educational establishments in the town who have been overseeing the day to day running of the academy this term.

Mrs Veal has built a reputation for school improvements since she was appointed in 2013 as head St Ives School, in Cornwall, regularly delivering the best GCSE results in the county.

She also contributed to Cornwall Community Hospital education service’s first OFSTED ‘outstanding’ grade and the development of Truro and Penwith Academy Trust, which is responsible for significant improvements to teaching and learning across Cornwall.

Earlier this year The Taunton Academy became sponsored by a trust set up by Richard Huish College, with former RHC vice principal Rosie Austin, alongside Bishop Fox’s School head Paul Scutt, overseeing the day to day operations at the academy.

Mrs Veal is already working closely with them ahead of taking up her post full time.

She said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the new head teacher of The Taunton Academy and am really looking forward to working with students and their families to ensure the best possible outcomes.”

Richard Huish principal John Abbott, who said the trust was set up to give all students the best opportunity going forward, added: “We have been extremely fortunate to secure a new head teacher with the skills and experience of Jenny.

“I am confident that under her astute leadership the pupils and staff at The Taunton Academy will continue to flourish.”

The Taunton Academy was established in 2010 following the closure of Ladymead School, which was sited on the current premises, and The St Augustine of Canterbury School, off Priorswood Road.

Academy principal Mark Trusson stood down at the end of the summer term to take up a consultancy role, while his deputy, Jason David, left to start a new job as head teacher of a school in Dorset.