The principal of a new academy has been announced, with the secondary school set to open next year.

David Grant will takeover The Ongar Academy, which is due to open in September 2015.

Mr Grant joins the school from his position of deputy head at the Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College in Bishops Stortford, which is ranked as the fourth best performing comprehensive secondary school in the country.

“I am delighted and thrilled to have been chosen as the headteacher of The Ongar Academy and very much look forward to meeting with parents and carers in the near future”, said Mr Grant.

Chair of the Ongar Academy Trust, Pete Marchant, said: “We are truly honoured to be welcoming David Grant to our team, as he brings a wealth of experience and considerable talent, which we know will benefit the children of Ongar and our community immensely.”

The Ongar Academy was given final approval in September this year, and is to be the first secondary school in Ongar for 25 years.

The school will specialise in traditional academic subjects, with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.