TROUBLED Headlands School has a new headteacher, it has been announced.

Janet Shaddick, who is currently the associate head of a similar school in Tower Hamlets, East London,will take charge at the start of the new school term when the government's Fresh Start Initiative kicks in.

Ms Shaddick is part of the Government's fast track headship scheme, which means she has enjoyed accelerated promotion.

Lead member for education Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw & Nine Elms) said: "This should be the start of a new era for Headlands School.

"This appointment gives Headlands a full time head, something the parents and pupils felt would be a positive step for the school.

"The new head will be in place for the new term."

Under the fast track headship scheme, high flying teachers who are identified as having great potential are fast tracked to a management position.

The new head will be taking over a school which has been plagued with difficulties over the past couple of years.

Ofsted inspectors placed it in special measures in 2002 for poor performance and it subsequently suffered from a high number of teacher vacancies.

Pupils staged a walkout in May to protest about teaching standards.

The last headteacher, Nicky Barton, was also deputy headteacher of Kingsdown School.

She stepped down earlier this month due to the pressure of both jobs.