THE former headteacher of Bury Grammar School Boys says he is looking forward to an exciting new challenge after leaving to join a prestigious boarding school.

Richard Marshall will become the headteacher of Ashville College, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in January 2018.

Mr Marshall was the 38th headteacher of Bury Grammar School Boys, steering the school in Tenterden Street to a double ‘excellent’ rating by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in November 2016.

He was at Bury from 2006, having joined the school as head of chemistry, and gained promotion to head of science, with subsequent promotions to deputy head academic in 2008, second master in 2010, and ultimately headteacher in March 2013. Prior to joining Bury, Mr Marshall had been head of sixth form at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Blackburn.

On his appointment at Ashville College, Mr Marshall said: “I am honoured and privileged to be appointed as the next headmaster of this prestigious and forward-looking school.

“I look forward to building on the successes of previous headmasters and leading the school in the next exciting stages of development.”

Devin Cassidy will continue as acting headmaster of Bury Grammar School Boys.

He said: “I am delighted to have been asked to continue to lead Bury Grammar School Boys and will have an uncompromising focus upon academic standards and pastoral care.

“The boys are my priority and I thank my colleagues for their continued efforts.”