A NEW headteacher has been appointed at St Christopher’s CE High School, in Accrington.

Richard Jones, who currently holds the post of deputy headteacher, will take the helm at the Queens Road West site in September, ready for the new academic year. He replaces Alasdair Coates, who announced his retirement last month following two decades at the school.

Mr Jones, who has worked at the school for eight years, entered the teaching profession in 1989 as a history teacher in a Chorley secondary school.

He said: “It is a huge honour for me to become headmaster of a school with such a dedicated staff, supportive parents, and talented pupils.

“It is an outstanding school and my main goal will be to ensure that every pupil feels valued, and that they are able to flourish. I look forward to building on the long tradition of excellence associated with the school over many years.”