A headteacher with a track record for turning around underperforming schools has been appointed to lead Elliot School in Putney.

Mark Phillips, former headteacher of de Stafford School in Caterham, is to take over the reins after the Easter break.

De Stafford was in serious debt and producing poor grades before Mr Philips took over in 2004 and turned it into one of the most improved schools in Surrey.

Councillor Kathy Tracey, education spokesman, said: "Mark is an engaging and passionate headteacher who brings a breadth of experience in school improvement.

"He has been responsible for a major transformation in the fortunes of his previous school and has the skills and experience to lead Elliott to great success."

Six years ago, de Stafford School had a £500,000 budget deficit and only 26 per cent of its students were attaining five or more GCSEs at grades A to C.

Its truancy levels were also high with an absence level of 14 per cent.

Under his leadership, the school has balanced its books, 52 per cent of pupils now achieve top GCSE grades and absentee levels have fallen to just five per cent.

It is hoped his experience will help pull up Elliot School, which was put into special measures by Ofsted last year.

Since then Margaret Peacock, headteacher of the successful Chestnut Grove School in Balham, has been temporarily leading the school.

Under her leadership, standards of education at Elliott have reportedly improved dramatically.

The proportion of students gaining five or more A* - C grades at GCSE last summer rose by 17 points.

Coun Tracey added: “Everyone connected to Elliott School - be they pupils, parents or staff - owes Margaret a huge debt of gratitude. She has laid some really solid foundations for the future success of the school."

Mrs Peacock will be returning to Chestnut Grove School, where she has been head teacher since 1990.

Her school will work with Elliott along with Ernest Bevin College and Roehampton University, in a new partnership designed to raise standards further.