THE governors at Queen's College, Taunton, have announced the appointment of a new headmaster.

Julian Noad, head of Oswestry School, in Shropshire, for the past seven years, will take over from Dr Lorraine Earps “no later than January 2022, hopefully sooner”.

Prior to joining Oswestry, he was deputy head at Rydal Penrhos, which, like Queen’s, is a member of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust.

He also spent 12 years at Clifton College, Bristol, including six as a housemaster.

Married with two children who are both at university, Mr Noad has a lifelong passion for sailing, including yacht racing.

He has also enjoyed playing and coaching rugby, football, squash and fives, but has more recently concentrated on cross-country running, coaching as well as running himself.

Mark Edwards, chairman of the governors at Queen’s, said: “The board of governors have a clear vision for our school and its future, focused on a blend of academic, sporting and the creative and performing arts, sitting alongside strong individually-tailored pastoral support for the wellbeing of our whole community.

“We offer a true education for life, an ethos which is shared by Julian and we truly look forward to welcoming him to our school so we can continue to strengthen that vision.”

Mr Noad said he was “honoured, excited, and delighted to be invited to be the next head of Queen’s College”.

He added: “I very much look forward to getting to know everyone and working with pupils, staff, parents and governors to embed a vision for outstanding education, rich experience, and individual care.”

Queen’s College, based in Trull Road, educates children from three months in its Highgrove Nursery up to 18 years in the sixth form.

Somerset County Gazette: Dr Earps, who became its first female head when she was appointed in 2016, is leaving to become head of The Grange School, Hartford, in Cheshire.