A NEW headmaster is set to take the reins at a Herefordshire school this September.

Andrew Allman, who will take over as headmaster at Herefordshire's Lucton School, founded in 1708, has seen pupil numbers more than double at co-educational Myddelton College, in Denbigh, in North Wales since he took over in 2019.

The 44-year-old father of two, from Shrewsbury, began his career at Barnard Castle School in County Durham after gaining a BA in Theology and an MA in Education from Durham University.

He then joined the award-winning Myddelton College, which has in recent years gained plaudits for the way it negotiated the difficulties of lockdown.

Mr Allman said: “I don’t believe a school should be an exam factory - my aim is always to provide a well-rounded education and give all pupils a breadth of opportunities, indoors and outdoors, including the chance to work with and form bonds with people and countries all over the world.

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“My aim at Myddelton College was to develop a calm, kind, happy school where pupils have mutual respect and can thrive and reach their goals and that will be my ambition for Lucton School.

“Lucton is a well-known school with a history that goes back to 1708 and it has its own exciting international connections as well as a commitment to the Armed Forces which it shares with Myddelton College.

“I would like to develop the existing academic and sporting provision at Lucton in the way we have done at Myddelton and also to build on the great work that is under way at the school.

“It is an exciting challenge to take up and my family and I are very much looking forward to taking up my post in September while at the same time committing fully to Myddelton College which has meant so much to us and which will always have a special place in our hearts.”

Mr Allman is to attend the Lucton School open day at the school on Monday, May 6.