A BASINGSTOKE secondary school has announced the appointment of a new headteacher.

David Nicholson will take on the top role at The Costello School from September, after former head Julia Mortimore left in December, after 11 years of leading the school.

Mr Nicholson is currently headteacher at Abbeyfield School, in Chippenham, and was chosen to take on the post at Costello following an extensive search and selection process in December.

He has overseen Abbeyfield’s transition into an academy, which was rated as “good” by Ofsted in 2012.

Carol Bode, chair of governors at Costello, in Crossborough Hill, said: “The governors and I are delighted to have been able to attract such a high-calibre person as David to this role following the departure of Julia Mortimore at Christmas.

“We have every confidence that he is going to take the school from strength to strength in the future, and build good working relationships with students, staff, parents and the local community. I am really looking forward to working closely with him in September.”

Costello deputy head Nick Price is acting headteacher until Mr Nicholson starts in the new school year.