A NEW chairman of the governors has been appointed at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust.

David Gardner, who is currently chairman of the Academy Trust, has been a governor for 12 years and last year managed the school’s conversion to Academy status.

He succeeds Malcolm Wilford as chairman of governors, who has retired after 24 years of service as a governor.

Mr Gardner’s three children all attended the school and went on to university.

The family has been involved in sport locally and Mr Gardner is chairman of Wootton Bassett Hockey Club, which he still turns out for.

He said: “I’m very proud to take over as chairman of such a great school.

“We have an impressive management team under the leadership of the headteacher, George Croxford, highly motivated staff and excellent students who are proud of their school and keen to learn.

“Ofsted rated the school as Outstanding In All Categories in each of the past two years. The challenge now, for me and the board of governors, is to ensure that we maintain that standard.”