A NEW headmaster has been appointed for Taunton Preparatory School.

The Board of Governors of Taunton School announced the news that Mr Andrew Edwards will take up the position from September 1 2017.

Andrew is currently head of Park School in Bournemouth where he has served since 2011.

Previously, he was director of studies and head of modern languages at Castle Court Prep School and head of modern languages at Port Regis School for six years.

Having gained a BA Hons in French with German at the University of Manchester, Andrew, now 51, went on to qualify as a lawyer and started his working life with a City of London law firm before deciding that his future lay in education.

Andrew holds an Associate Diploma from the London College of Music in the cello and is a qualified coach in cricket, tennis and football.

He is married to Robyn, a sport, French and primary school class teacher, and they have two sons aged 13 and 11.

Andrew said: "Taunton Preparatory School is a terrific school and it is great honour to be asked by the Governors and by Mr Lee Glaser to continue the excellent work being done by Mr Duncan Sinclair.

"As part of the very rigorous selection process, I spent three days in Taunton, during which time I was hugely impressed by the many pupils and staff whom I had the pleasure of meeting.

"The breadth of opportunity for all, the drive for excellence and a wonderfully warm ethos of respect and good manners are just a few of the many reasons why I am so excited about joining the school.

"Before starting as head in September 2017, there will be plenty of opportunities, I am sure, for me to meet pupils, staff and parents so that I will be fully prepared to hit the ground running."

Mr Lee Glaser said: "I am very excited about working with Andrew.

"We have a shared vision for the whole school and we will work together closely to ensure that our agreed strategy is implemented effectively."