THE new headmaster at Old Swinford Hospital hopes to build on the success of his predecessor when he takes on the role in September.

Paul Kilbride, aged 40, will succeed Peter Jones, who is retiring from the Heath Lane school after 26 years.

Since he qualified as a teacher, Mr Kilbride has taught in both the maintained and independent sectors and until recently, was the deputy headmaster at Bethany School in Kent.

Mr Kilbride, a father-of-three, said: “I look forward to joining a superb body of teaching staff and making my contribution to the on-going achievements of the pupils as we prepare them for the rigors of the academic curriculum and celebrate their development through sport and the performing arts.

"I am also very interested in how best we may prepare them for a life of change and global challenge beyond school.”