The appointment of Nonsuch High School for Girls' first male head teacher looks to have ended a difficult chapter for the school.

Mystery still surrounds the departure of the school’s former headteacher, Karin Rowsell, who went on indefinite special leave just before Easter last year.

Now the governing body of the school has appointed Peter Gale as its new headteacher who will start in September 2013.

Mr Gale is currently deputy headteacher at Rosebery School in Epsom where he is responsible for curriculum, data and timetabling.

This year he has also been seconded to George Abbot School in Guildford as part of its executive team.