A father-of-two who helped turn around a High Wycombe school from a ‘fresh-start’ status to receiving a recent ‘good’ rating from Ofsted, has been named its new principal.

Glen Burke, 49, joined The Highcrest Academy on Hatter’s Lane in 2001 as head of design and technology, when it replaced the then-failing Hatters Lane School under the government’s fresh-start scheme – where failing schools closed and reopened with a new name, new management and often new staff.

Mr Burke will replace current head teacher Shena Moynihan when she takes early retirement this year.

The school said he helped Miss Moynihan “transform” the school with “massively improved” exam results and a “strong” Ofsted rating.

Speaking about the transformation, he said: "Things have changed so much over the past 15 years due to the incredible work of Miss Moynihan and the many staff who have supported her over the years.

“Highcrest is now a completely transformed and unrecognisable institution."

Mr Burke said his proudest moment came when he helped the school gain specialist school status as a technology college in 2006. The specialist schools programme is a government initiative that encourages secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement.

The status helped bring in a one-off £100,000 grant from the government and an additional £129 per pupil for the next four years, which enabled the school to “broaden educational opportunities” for its pupils.

Mr Burke said his “mission” as head teacher is to bring the school up to ‘outstanding’ status and do Miss Moynihan “proud” as her successor.

He said: “It’s been fantastic to work under such an inspirational principal for the best part of 15 years and I have obviously learnt a great deal from her.

"I will strive for excellence throughout every element of the academy.”

Miss Moynihan said: "For the last 15 years, it has been a pleasure to witness Glen develop from a talented middle leader in to a fantastic senior leader and I am confident that he will lead Highcrest well as it moves in to the next exciting phase of its history."