TAUNTON’S King’s Hall School has appointed a new head master for next year.

Justin Chippendale will take the reigns from James Macpherson in September 2009, who led the school for nine years.

Mr Macpherson, who will retire at the end of the school year, arrived at King’s Hall in 1999 and worked tirelessly to extend the school’s academic, sporting and musical credentials.

Mr Chippendale will join the school after his position as deputy head at Chafyn Grove School in Salisbury and previously taught at the Dragon School in Oxford.

He will be supported by his wife, Claire, and their three young children Eliza, Joss and Hettie.