Brakenhale School appointed a new headteacher last month after its previous leader stood down last year.

The new headteacher Camilla Douglas introduced herself as taking on the new role on February 9. Former head Bhavin Tailor left the school at February half term.

Mrs Douglas said she felt ‘hugely privileged’ to have been appointed as the headteacher. She said she wanted to ‘continue to ensure your children receive an excellent educational provision.’

Mr Tailor announced in December that he would be stepping down due to his commute from London and because of personal circumstances.

Mrs Douglas thanked Mr Tailor ‘for all his incredible work over the last three years at Brakenhale School.” She said she wanted to ‘build on the success of Mr Tailor.’

Before joining Brakenhale, Mrs Douglas was deputy head teacher at Park House School in Newbury, which like Brakenhale is run by the Greenshaw Learning Trust.

Brakenhale School and Park House School have both faced criticism and complaints from parents over rules.

A petition by parents at Park House School this year likened it to a ‘prison camp,’ according to Newbury Today. Parents at Brakenhale have previously told the News they felt the school was run like a ‘military camp.’