GOVERNORS at Ulverston Victoria High School have confirmed that Matthew Hardwick has been appointed as headteacher.

He will take the reins from January 1 next year.

Mr Hardwick has been acting Headteacher at UVHS since the retirement of stalwart Denis Fay.

In a statement, chair of governors Julie Wilkinson said the process had been challenging.

She said: "The governors have been involved in a challenging and difficult decision concerning the appointment of a new headteacher for UVHS.

"A number of parents were involved in the interviewed and they raised the issue of governor communication with parents.

"They believed that a number of matters around the process had not been explained as fully as they would have wished."

The process has taken 18 months considering options for Mr Fay's successor.

The governors said that The Behaviour Management Systems within the school, the quality of Teaching and Learning and Staff Development owed much to Mr Hardwick’s vision, drive and passion.

Mrs Wilkinson added the governors were satisfied with their appointment and the future of UVHS.

Mrs Wilkinson added: "The local authority have monitored our interview process and have been party to all aspects of the interview decisions.

"They are satisfied with that the process has been transparent and rigorous.

"The decisions made were not taken light, nor were they made without legal advice.

"We are committed to a decision not to make an appointment if candidates were in anyway unsuitable to provide the best education for the students who are at the heart of our school.

Mrs Wilkinson added: “Now that the process has been successfully completed, we know all members of the school community are committed to continuing Ulverston Victoria High School’s journey.

"They will work together to build on the school’s fantastic success to date.”