A new headteacher has been appointed for a secondary school this September.

Mike Yerosimou takes on the role as head of school at Epping St John’s Church of England School, on Bury Lane, Epping.

Having joined the school in 2006 as a cover supervisor and working “every job in school”, he is now preparing to take the reins.

Mr Yerosimou said: “I know where we are strong and where we need to improve, I also know how good our staff are. I know the area and our families and they know me.

“This is a lovely school, it’s a diamond that simply needs shining.”

The voluntary-controlled school joined multi-academy trust BMAT in 2017 when changes were brought in to raise aspirations and improve results and relaunch the sixth form.

The new head said the priority will be teaching and learning, ensuring young people are inspired to be ambitious.

“The key is having great teachers in front of children," added Mr Yerosimou. "We have made sure we are fully staffed from September with great staff.

“We want to be at the heart of the community and so are developing links to ensure that happens.

“We are the only secondary school in Epping, so we need to be involved in everything, the more we do that, the more pride people will have in the school.

“We know we are not there yet. We want to be open and honest, if there is an issue, we will say we are trying our best to fix it.”

Stephen Hehir, executive headteacher, said: “The appointment of a head of school is a vital one in that it will ensure we have sustainable improvement in the years ahead.

“Students, parents and carers will have a figurehead every day who will ensure our focus on high expectations, community and our Church of England ethos is relentless and we reach the exceptional.

“Mr Yerosimou has the exact qualities needed to ensure Epping St John’s reaches those goals.”