A PRINCIPAL has been appointed for a new public school in Sher-field-on-Lodden.

Julian Whiteley, currently head of Taunton School, in Somerset, will take the reins of the new Sherfield School - which is situated on the site of the former North Foreland Lodge - when it opens in September this year.

The site was purchased by the Dubai-based educational group GEMS (Global education Management Systems), which announced in January that it would be opening a co-educational independent day school for children aged two to 19, in the autumn.

Mr Whiteley, 47, said that he wants Sherfield School to "marry traditional English educational values with international flair".

He said: "This is an extremely exciting project. GEMS has done its research and really identified a need for the area. Today's children are living very different lives to the one I led, and the school has adapted to that.

"The core values they are espousing are close to my particular views on education. For example, the notion of educating a child in becoming a world citizen is fundamentally important.

"Leadership is a key thing. We want children to be challenged to develop their determination and self confidence.

"Education is about personal development, exposing children to a breadth of experiences, and taking them out of their comfort zone. I'm a great believer in the traditional values of hard work, trust, honesty and respect."

Simon Cummins, schools director of GEMS, said: "Finding the right person to be the principal was a challenge, so we are delighted that Julian Whiteley will be joining us.

"We feel that his passion for providing the highest standards of education and experience will help pupils at Sherfield School in our core values of world citizenship, leadership and forward-thinking in their school lives and as they grow."

Mr Whiteley (pictured) has more than 20 years of teaching experience at top independent schools, and is also an independent schools inspector and an international representative for the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.

His experience includes a four-year post as deputy headteacher at Sao Paulo-based St Paul's School, the "Eton of South America" and six years in the Royal Navy. He is married and has three children.

James Barnes, headmaster of the Chafyn Grove School, in Salisbury, was appointed principal of Sherfield School, but is now the new assistant schools director of GEMS.