A NEW headteacher has been appointed at De La Salle School to make the required improvements to leadership.

Former student Paul Norris will take control of the Catholic school and language college, Ghyllgrove, Basildon at the start of the new school year.

Ofsted inspectors marked the school’s leadership as requiring improvement last year.

Popular headteacher Catherine Burnett then stepped down at the start of this year following the death of her terminally ill mum.

At the time she admitted juggling school life and personal life had “taken its toll” and made her feel “increasingly unwell”

Mr Norris previously taught at De la Salle from 2003 to 2015 as an English teacher, head of year, and then assistant headteacher and was keen to return after a spell as deputy headteacher at The Palmer Catholic Academy, Ilford, where he has served since 2015.

Mr Norris said: “Having been a member of this community for all of my life, I am delighted to be returning to the school that started my professional journey.

“De La Salle School and Language College is an exceptional school with amazing students and staff.

“I am immensely proud to have the opportunity to lead the school that helped shape the person I am today.”

Mr Norris was born in Basildon and continues to live in the borough today.

After studying at De La Salle, he went on to attend Palmer’s Sixth Form College in Grays, before returning to the Basildon school in 2002.

Chair of governors, Liam Connolly added: “I am delighted to have been able to appoint a person of this calibre to such a vital position within our school community. De La Salle is an incredible school with a staff and student body which is second to none. I have every confidence in Mr Norris and his ability to lead this amazing school on the next chapter of our journey”.

Mr Norris will take over at the school from August 31 ahead of the start of the new academic year.

The school is currently rated as a good school overall by inspectors with teaching and learning praised and good progress made by pupils of all standards.