A PERMANENT headteacher has been appointed at Lornshill Academy – almost a year after its former head resigned from the post.

Tom Black – who was previously headteacher at Bannockburn High School – is expected to join the Clackmannanshire school on Monday 26 May.

As previously reported in the Advertiser, the Alloa secondary school was left without a permanent headteacher when Peter Allan, who took on the role in February 2012, left in May last year.

The position was initially advertised in September, however interviews failed to find a suitable candidate. The £75,000 a year job was then readvertised in February of this year.

Clackmannanshire Council’s link officer, Ann Floyd, has been acting headteacher in the interim.

Education convener, councillor Ellen Forson, said, “I am pleased to confirm that Tom Black has been appointed to the post of headteacher at Lornshill Academy.

“It is good news for the whole school community that an experienced and dynamic headteacher like Tom will be joining to continue the good work that acting headteacher Ann Floyd has been progressing over the past year. I would like to thank Ann for her leadership during this period.

“We all look forward to seeing the plans Tom will develop to ensure that the Lornshill pupils continue to have the best educational opportunities available and can develop to their full potential.” It is not the first time that education bosses have found it difficult to fill the position at the school. After previous headteacher Danny Murphy retired Clackmannanshire Council had the advertise the role three times before it was eventually filled.