Tiffin Girls’ School has appointed its first male headteacher in its 135-year history.

The Richmond Road school, which regularly logs the best exam results in the borough, has taken on Ian Keary as head from January 4.

He said: “It is a great privilege to be joining such a vibrant and successful community at one of the leading state schools in the country.

“I support wholeheartedly the governors’ aims to do more to encourage local applications from academically able girls, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“I am looking forward to developing our relationships with primary schools in the local community in support of this initiative.”

The school, which is currently home to 996 girls aged between 11 and 18, confirmed he is the first male headteacher in more than a century.

He joins the school having been assistant headteacher at Tiffin School, and head of school at Glyn School in Ewell.

Mr Keary trained at the West London Institute of Higher Education and recently obtained a national qualification for headship.

Amy Cavilla took over as acting head for two terms after Vanessa Ward stepped down at the end of the 2015 spring term.

The motto of the school is sapere aude, dare to be wise, and in his welcome to pupils, staff and parents Mr Keary said the school is “a happy and vibrant community where the girls take centre stage”.