The man chosen to lead Peers School into its final days has pledged to build on progress achieved under outgoing head Lorna Caldicott.

Ed McConnell, the former head of the Marlborough School, in Woodstock, will take over from Ms Caldicott in January.

Ms Caldicott resigned from the Littlemore comprehensive after being appointed principal at an academy in Milton Keynes.

She was praised by governors and parents alike for turning around the school, which came out of special measures in January.

Mr McConnell will lead the school until the opening of the Oxford Academy in September 2008, when he will hand over to Mike Reading, principal-designate for the £100,000-a-year post.

Mr McConnell said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to build on the many strengths and achievements made by Peers School under Lorna Caldicott's leadership.

"I will be working in partnership with students, staff, parents, the community and the local authority, as well as with Mike Reading and Academy sponsors, the Oxford Diocese, Oxford Brookes University and the Beecroft Trust.

"I look forward to working with the Peers School community and being part of the exciting changes."

Mr McConnell, who was headteacher in Woodstock for 18 years until 2004, has been leading secondary school transformation in Kent, becoming familiar with the Building Schools for the Future and Academy programmes.

He told the Oxford Mail that he placed "great emphasis" on ensuring that the vision of such initiatives was translated into better opportunities for students, staff and families. A key element of Mr McConnell's role will be to support staff, students and parents through the transition from Peers to the new Academy.

He will also aim to ensure the needs of staff and students are met throughout, and that the improved results predicted for this year's GCSE students are secured.

Mr McConnell added: "Should the proposal to open the Academy in September 2008 go ahead, it will provide high-quality facilities and give students, staff and the community the opportunities they need to enhance educational achievements and fulfil aspirations."

Peers' chairman of governors Andrew Parsons said staff were told about the appointment on Tuesday.

He added: "We're extremely pleased. Mr McConnell has extensive experience as an Oxfordshire head and has also been dealing with an academy in Kent."

The proposed academy at the Peers site moved a step closer to becoming reality following a decision by Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet on Tuesday to close the current school on August 31 next year.

The decision to go ahead remains conditional on a funding agreement, which can only be signed by Education Secretary Ed Balls.