The Bishop of Rochester Academy is to have a new permanent head teacher, six months after his predecessor resigned.

Colin Boxall will take up the role of executive principal at the Chatham school early next year. He will work with the interim executive principal Andy Reese during the transition.

Mr Boxall has taught at several secondary schools, most recently at St Michael and All Angels Academy in Camberwell, south London.The school hit the headlines last year when deputy head teacher Katharine Birbalsingh spoke at the Conservative party conference.

Ms Birbalsingh said the education system was "broken" and she was subsequently suspended by the school.

Dr Peter Clough, chairman of the board of governors at Bishop of Rochester Academy, said Mr Boxall had a "significant track record of success".

"We are confident that he will lead the academy successfully and build substantially on our recent improvements," he said.

"He has a very good understanding of the Christian ethos of the school."

Mr Boxall said: "I am really excited about joining the Bishop of Rochester Academy, and looking forward to meeting staff and pupils."

Mr Reese, head teacher at Greenacre School, stepped in when the academy's first principal, Chris Sweetman pictured above, resigned after being suspended.

In May, the Messenger exclusively revealed as many as 400 pupils were suspended during the school's first six months.