The Compass School Trust has announced the appointment of Tony Searle as the Compass School’s first headteacher.

The Compass School is a new state secondary ‘free school’ in Bermondsey. It was approved by the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove last autumn and plans to open in September 2013.

Tony Searle joins the trust from the Cabot Learning Federation, where he is the vice Principal of Hans Price Academy. Prior to that he had a number of assistant principal roles within the Federation, including the John Cabot Academy and Bristol Brunel Academy.

“The Compass School’s ethos is centred on the “4Rs” – reading, writing, arithmetic and the fourth “R”, relating,” explained chairman Doug Lewis.

“As well as excellent academic standards, the Compass School will focus on developing our pupils’ ability to relate to the world around them – from their peers to the workplace.

“We will be opening our doors in September 2013 and are absolutely delighted to have appointed such a high calibre and committed individual as Tony Searle, who comes with an impressive track record in educational excellence.

“We very much look forward to him joining the Compass team and helping translate our vision into reality for hundreds of Southwark families over the years to come.”

Tony Searle said: “Excellence is the platform for any really successful school and that’s our starting point in Southwark. I want parents to expect the best from us and I want our pupils to demand the best from themselves.

“The Compass School will support and inspire our pupils in the classroom and beyond- through sport and performing arts and a range of extra curricula activities all aimed at equipping them for life and the world of work.”

Over the coming months the Compass Schools Trust will be hosting a public meetings for local families and residents to hear more about the plans for the new school.

A new website has also been launched at www.compass-schools.com