Head teacher of Canterbury’s Langton grammars Matthew Baxter has revealed a shake-up to the governing bodies overseeing the two schools.

In a move towards linking the two boards, five governors – two from the girls’ school and three from the boys’ – will serve on both.

The two Simon Langton schools had a single governing body until 1990.

Paul Addis, who has been a member of the boys’ board for more than 30 years – 12 of those as chairman – has been appointed as the new chair of governors to the girls’ school following the resignation of Alisdair Chisholm.

Mr Chisholm was among four governors to step down after the appointment of Dr Baxter as interim head teacher of Langton Girls’, replacing under-fire Jane Robinson who formally leaves at the end of this month.

Mrs Robinson resigned last month amid allegations of bullying and financial irregularities connected to the girls’ school’s botched attempt to become an academy last year.

In a letter to parents, Dr Baxter said the school’s governing body met on Tuesday and unanimously agreed to establish a “reciprocal arrangement” between the governing boards of the two Langtons.

“There are currently two vacancies on the boys’ governing body and Michelle Lee-Bourner and Mike Albury will serve on both boards,” he said.

“There are also vacancies on the girls’ school’s board and three governors from the boys’ school, Dr Olena Nizalova, Dr Jonathan Spencer and Paul Addis, will join the girls’ school’s governing body with immediate effect.”

He described Mr Addis as a long-standing and highly respected member of the school community with a particular attachment to the Langtons.

“Mr Addis attended the boys’ school, his late wife the girls’,” said Dr Baxter.

“His children attended both schools and he has served as a governor of the boys’ school for over 30 years, 12 as chair.

“He is ideally placed to serve the girls’ school as chair of governors.”

Former chairman Mr Chisholm stepped down during Dr Baxter’s first week as interim boss and he was followed almost immediately by his deputy Mike Blanning.

Fellow governors Les Craggs and Dr Chris Turner later quit.

Following the resignations, Dr Baxter said the departure of Mr Chisholm and Mr Blannings was a “certainty” after a new head had been appointed.

This latest move by Dr Baxter signals a step towards joining the two boards, but speaking previously he insisted it is too early to discuss a merger between the two schools.