AFTER two years of being mired in wrangles, a new leadership team is at the helm of Haydon Bridge High School, pledging to revive its fortunes.

The appointment of Darren Glover as principal paves the way for the school’s long-awaited conversion to an academy, under the sponsorship of the Bright Tribe trust.

The school has been in special measures since February 2015, and this summer will see the conclusion of one of the most protracted academy conversions on record. The latest developments come just two months after the Government appointed a new interim executive board (IEB) to conclude academy conversion.

Mr Glover has been working at the school as a consultant headteacher since September last year. Over the past 21 years, he has worked at schools in Newcastle, Sunderland and North Tyneside.

He said: “My last eight months at the school have shown the huge potential Haydon Bridge has to offer its students. I am now looking forward to taking up official headship and working with my team to drive up educational attainment and help every student realise their potential.”

Helen McCormick, who has served as acting head for the past two years, has become deputy principal, while Helen Jackson has been appointed assistant principal. They will be supported by regional executive principal, Dr Judith Greene.

Bright Tribe announced this week that it could complete its take over of another Tynedale school – Haltwhistle Community Campus – on May 1.

It is understood the trust’s takeover at Haydon Bridge will not be announced until after the Haltwhistle deal is completed.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the newly appointed IEB at Haydon Bridge, Ruth Dolan, announced in a letter to parents that the school’s Ridley Hall boarding wing would remain closed until at least after the Easter holidays.

Ridley Hall, which provided overnight accommodation for around two dozen children, closed at short notice in February, with the IEB and Northumberland County Council at loggerheads over who was responsible.