A HEADTEACHER has been appointed to take over the new combined school in Princes Risborough.

Sally Whitlow is set to take over the new school, yet to be named, an amalgamation of Berryfield Infant School and Icknield Junior School.

Falling numbers at the two schools led to their amalgamation with plans for the new school to be built at the Icknield site on Wellington Avenue, Princes Risborough.

Governors announced the appointment last Friday after a day of interviews on Wednesday.

Mrs Whitlow has been headteacher of Icknield Junior School since September 1998 and will continue in her post until the end of this year.

She was acting headteacher at Berryfield Middle School before joining Icknield and has taught at both first and combined schools.

John Mason is chairman of the temporary governing body set up to prepare for the transition.

"We are delighted to congratulate Mrs Whitlow on her new position," he said.

"The selection panel decided that she was most suitable for the position which will be extremely trying once the transitional period begins.

"We believe that under her leadership the school can look forward with confidence."

Governors are now awaiting local education authority approvalbefore work begins at the Icknield site.