HEREFORD'S Whitecross High School has appointed its new head teacher.

And the environment will be familiar for current deputy, Tim Knapp, who takes over from September.

The 46-year-old said he is "delighted and excited" to be leading the specialist sports college following the announcement that current head, Denise Strutt, will be retiring in the summer.

He said: "Since Denise and I joined the school in 2001 we have been working extremely hard with our students, parents and dedicated staff to create a school which serves our community well and I am thrilled to be able to continue that journey."

Mr Knapp joined the school as an assistant head in 2001, having lived and worked in the North West previously.

He had never been to Hereford before but has fallen in love with the area and he and his wife chose to raise their family here.

Both of his children attend local schools in the county.

"I became deputy head in 2003, working alongside Denise in growing the school and much has changed at Whitecross over the years," he said.

"I am very proud indeed of the many successes we've enjoyed – we've become a sports college, moved to a wonderful new site, become an Academy and results continue to rise."

And while being a head teacher might be considered a challenging role, he is ready to meet that head on.

"Schools are always evolving and I know this will continue as we drive up standards for our young people," he added.

"However the values and ethos of the school are very close to my heart and central to what makes us who we are.

"I can't think of anything more rewarding than working with young people and trying to make the world a better place."

In his spare time, Mr Knapp is a keen cyclist and enjoys walking his dog.

He also led the school's First World War trench project and, as a former history teacher, is passionate about the past.