AN interim headteacher has been appointed to turn things around at a secondary school on the outskirts of Taunton.

They have not yet been named but will take up the post at Heathfield Community School at the start of the new academic year in September.

Heathfield head Peter Hoare resigned earlier this month, while the board of governors was recently removed and replaced with a temporary body.

It comes after a number of staff quit following a damning Ofsted report.

Claire Emery, chairman of the interim executive board (IEB), which replaced the governors last month, has written to parents and carers to update them on the latest situation.

In her letter, she said a number of changes have already been introduced, with more to come for the next school year.

Ms Emery said: "I recognise that change brings uncertainty but it also brings opportunity for staff and the IEB to work together to move forward with clarity and cohesion in our collaboration to provide the very best quality of education possible for the children and young adults we serve.

"My visit last week was very positive so I already know that staff are committed to doing whatever is in the best interests of the pupils and community of Heathfield."

She added that Cabot Learning Foundation (CLF) will provide the interim headteacher who will "work with staff to build on the existing good work already in place and oversee, with wider CLF team support, the delivery of a revised school improvement plan.

"CLF leadership, working with staff, will help to clarify exactly what the school improvement priorities are and the timescales in which the associated actions need to be progressed in order to benefit children and evidence impact in line with expectations when reporting back to the IEB."

Ms Emery said she is unable to name the interim head at the moment as their existing school community needs to be informed of the details.