BROAD Oak High School will celebrate the New Year with a new headteacher.

After more than five years at the helm and having secured specialist status for the Hazel Avenue school as a sports college, head teacher Andrew Mackenzie is off to pastures new.

He will be taking up the post of head at Gawthorpe High School in Padiham, near Burnley, and is to be succeeded by Mr Neil O'Connor.

Mr Mackenzie said "I am sorry to be leaving Broad Oak. I have been immensely happy at the school and have enjoyed the privilege of working not only with pupils and staff, but also with parents and members of the local community.

"Broad Oak is a very special school with an outstanding team. I have no doubt that the school will flourish under Neil's leadership and I look forward to hearing news of its continued progress."

Mr O'Connor joins Broad Oak on January 1 from his job as deputy head teacher at Walton-Le-Dale High School near Preston. He is married and has two children.

He is a keen sportsman with a particular interest in rackets sports. In his youth he gained both county and regional honours in both badminton and tennis. He also enjoys golf.

The 48-year-old said: "I am passionate about the importance of education and its impact on the lives of students, particularly upon how people learn.

"I feel privileged to be appointed to the post of headteacher at Broad Oak and I am looking forward to working with the staff in building on the achievements the school has gained under the leadership of Andrew."