Russian Revolution expert Steve Lunt has promised a smooth takeover of Oxford Community School.

Steve Lunt, who welcomes the challenge Mr Lunt, 44, deputy headteacher at Cheney School, Headington, Oxford, has been appointed to replace Ian Johnson at Oxford Community School in Glanville Road, east Oxford.

Mr Johnson is leaving in the summer to take up a £100,000 post at the £27m Marlowe Academy in Ramsgate, Kent, which next year will replace an existing failing school, the Ramsgate School, labelled Britain's worst comprehensive.

When he came to Oxford School, the upper school for 13 to 18-year-olds had serious weaknesses according to inspectors in 1998, the year Mr Johnson took over.

In 2001 the school, for pupils aged 11-18, was described as a "rapidly improving and effective school that gives good value for money".

Mr Lunt, who takes over from Mr Johnson at the end of the summer, said he wanted to build on Mr Johnson's achievements.

Mr Lunt said: "Ian has done a very good job developing the school, has spent a lot of time recruiting high quality staff and there is very good morale.

"There has to be a constant focus on raising achievement but I am under no illusions about the quality of work that is already in place."