Stowmarket High School has appointed a new headteacher in a year of major changes for the school.

Dave Lee-Allan will take up the post after Easter following the retirement of the current headteacher Keith Penn.

The move comes in a year of major change for the school which will have an extra 400 students from September because of middle schools closing.

Mr Lee-Allan said: “I am honoured to be entrusted with the leadership of Stowmarket High School at such an important stage in its history.

“The determination from the staff and the governors to build upon the work of Mr Penn was something that inspired me to apply for the role.

“I look forward to working with the entire school community to achieve the very best for the young people of Stowmarket.”

Mr Lee-Allan is currently working as interim principal at The Hathaway Academy in Grays, Essex.

He was previously vice principal, later acting principal, at Westbourne Academy near Ipswich.

Mr Penn leaves the school, which includes as sixth-form, after eight years service.

The school’s extra students will be in Year Seven and Eight.