The new head teacher of a secondary school in Wembley which will become an academy in September has been appointed.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Students at Copland Community School claim they are being ignoredStudents at Copland Community School claim they are being ignored (Image: Archant)

Annabel Bates will be the principal of Copland Community School in Cecil Avenue, once it is taken over by ARK Schools in the autumn.

Ms Bates, a language teacher, is currently the vice principal at Ark Academy in Bridge Road, Wembley, which has been rated outstanding by education watchdog Ofsted.

Prior to joining Ark she was a member of the senior leadership team at The Business Academy Bexley in South-East London, with a responsibility for teaching, learning and staff development.

She said: “I am truly delighted to be joining Copland as the new principal. I look forward to leading the school in this exciting new phase of its development.

“With staff, pupils, parents and the wider school community working together, I know that we will create a high achieving school where all pupils can thrive.”

The troubled school, which was placed in special measures by Ofsted last May, is the last secondary in the borough still under the care of Brent Council.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said: “As a local parent, I support the plan for Copland to become an academy as part of the successful ARK network.

“We know that Copland needs a new start and this is best way to ensure that every child at the school gets the best possible start in life, enabling them to achieve their ambitions. I wish Annabel and the whole school every success.”

Staff and pupils have staged six strikes over the academy conversion plans claiming their views have been ignored by education chiefs.

However, Ark Schools claim 71 per cent of parents who took part in a six-week consultation supported the plans.

Copland will be located to a new building scheduled for completion in 2016 as part of the Priority School Buildings Programme.