A prominent South Norwood secondary school is undergoing a change in leadership, with the instalment of a new principal.

After three years, Nick Soar is leaving his role as executive principal at Harris Academy South Norwood to lead two Harris Federation schools in north London - Harris Academy Tottenham and Harris Academy St John's Wood.

Taking over from him in September will be Alex Williamson, currently executive principal at Haberdasher Aske's in south London.

Rob Hitch, Senior Vice Principal, who has worked closely with Croydon local authority, will take on the reins at the south site as part of the summer transition and work alongside Mr Williamson.

From September, Ms Landman becomes Head of Academy Designate for a new Harris school in Clapham, Lambeth.

Mr Soar joined Harris Academy South Norwood in September 2016 after serving as Executive Principal at the Bishop Challoner Federation of Schools in Tower Hamlets.

He has been praised for creating a single identity for the school, which is based on two campuses – South and Upper Norwood.

In announcing the moves, Mr Soar said: “These changes, I believe, will take the two campuses forward after a period in which we have all achieved so much in building a ‘unified’ successful school.

“The partnership with the local headteachers, social services, police and charities, such as Music Relief and Lives not Knives, and LA leaders such as David Butler and Shelley Davies and Sarah Jones, MP, have been an attempt to place Harris at the centre of work in Croydon to keep children safe from violence and help inspire them to choose a life of study and hope not one of hate.

“My vision has always been to balance a drive for the highest academic standards with an inclusive approach for children of all backgrounds.

"I can thank my superb teachers and support staff that we have been able to be the school of the second chance for a lot of local children.”

As a reminder of the school’s central ethos, Mr Soar recalled an Ofsted inspection which reported: “One pupil summed up the views of many when they told inspectors: ‘Treating everyone equally is an important quality for life. It is part of being a decent human being.’”

Of his successor, he said: “I know Alex Williamson will take the academy and its two sites to even greater success.

"Croydon is a wonderful area, and South Norwood will benefit hugely from a leader who is expert and driven to help local children.”

Mr Williamson has led Haberdasher Aske’s since last September before which he had been head of Rutlish School, Merton for 11 years with great success.

"Rutlish is regarded as one of the best non-selective boys’ comprehensive achieving an Ofsted rating of “Outstanding”.

He said:“I am very much looking forward to joining Harris Academy South Norwood to continue to develop and build on the significant strengths that Mr Soar and his team have already created.”