THE headteacher of Frederick Bremer is to take over as executive interim head of Norlington School for Boys.

Ruth Woodward will split her time between Frederick Bremer, in Walthamstow and Norlington, in Leyton after former head Jenny Bax left for personal reasons over the summer.

Ms Woodward said: “I've been an executive headteacher before for Warwick School and Aveling Park before they amalgamated to become Frederick Bremer.

“This is an interim solution – I'll be there as long as I'm needed.”

Fresh from a positive Ofsted report at Frederick Bremer, she now hopes to put the controversy over plans to form a trust school with what is now George Mitchell All-Through School to rest.

She said: “I think having a partnership with a prestigious institution like the Institute of Education is something to be welcomed.

“I know the staff have had some concerns about it but I'm sure we will be able to reach a consensus and move forward.”

The school has also recently been awarded specialist maths and computing status and will be receiving extra funding to help improve its facilities.

Ms Woodward, who has previously been deputy head at Norlington, said: “I'm looking forward to the future.

“The additional funding means there are lots of things we can do that we wouldn't otherwise have been able to do.”

Ms Woodward began her teaching career at Connaught School for Girls, before moving on to teach in Wales and coming back to Norlington in 1986.

The school faced strike action earlier this year over school trust plans, as staff and campaigners felt the plans would not benefit pupils, but Ms Woodward believes the dispute can be resolved.

She said: “I think through discussion and negotiation, things can be turned round.

“It's been nothing but a warm welcome from staff and pupils and from the NUT, which has been really nice.”

An open evening for Year Six pupils is to take place at the school on September 29 between 6pm and 8pm.